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THE 


"VYAE   TIGEE 


OB. 


A.D VENTURES  AND  WONDERFUL  FORTUNES 


or  THX 


YOUNG    SEA  CHIEF 


AND   HIS  LAD   CHOW  I 


A   TALE   OF    THE    CONQUEST    OP   CHINA 


BT 


WILLIAM  DALTOiq', 

AUTUOB  or  THK  "  WHITB  BLEPHAHT,"  «Ta 


PHILADELPHIA: 

J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY. 


liNiV*  OF  GAUF.  LIBRARY.  LOS  ANGELES 


\'hCC, 


PREFACE. 


As  free  use  is  made  in  the  following  story  of  tha 
names  of  personages  who  played  important  parts  in 
and  during  the  last  Tartar  Conquest  of  China,  the 
Author  believes  that  a  slight  sketch  of  that  turbulent 
epoch  may  not  be  uninteresting  to  his  readers. 

Twenty-two  dynasties  have  given  some  two  hun- 
dred and  forty  Emperors  to  the  Celestial  Kingdom ; 
of  these,  two  were  Tartars,  who  obtained  the  throne 
by  conquest  and  bloodshed.  In  the  course  of  time, 
however,  the  first  Tartar  famUy,  with  the  whole  of 
their  race,  were  either  massacred  or  driven  from  the 
land  by  a  Chinese  leader,  who,  by  mounting  the 
throne,  founded  the  celebrated  family  of  the  Mings. 

The  last  of  the  Ming  Emperors,  Wey-t-song,  had 
n  )t  been  many  years  upon  the  throne,  when,  from  a 
wise  and  energetic  man,  he  became  so  indolent,  and 
regardless  of  all  but  his  pleasures,  that  the  people  be- 
came oppressed  by  the  magistrates  ;  indeed,  to  use  a 
Chinese  phrase,  to  such  an  extent  did  the  "  big  fish 
eat  all  the  little  ones,"  that  a  famine  grew  in  the  land, 


rf-v  ^  «-T\r^,OvQ/l 


4:  PREFACE. 

which  caused  the  starving  people  to  arise  in  rebellion 
throughout  the  empire. 

Taking  advantage  of  this  disorder,  several  ambi- 
tious lords  collected  together  bands  of  vagabonds, 
set  themselves  up  as  petty  kings,  and  plundered  and 
oppressed  the  innocent  people,  till  the  land  grew 
damp  with  their  tears. 

At  the  same  time,  the  chief,  or  king,  of  the  Mant- 
chou  Tartars,  learning  that  China  was  like  a  house 
divided  against  itself,  rode  with  a  large  anny  upon 
the  frontier  of  Pe-tche-Lee,  the  capital  province. 

The  appearance,  however,  of  this  great  enemy 
aroused  what  little  nationality  remained,  and  three 
great  lords  came  to  the  Emperor's  assistance.  The 
first  was  "Woo-san-Kwei,  who,  at  the  head  of  an 
army,  kept  the  Tartars  at  bay ;  the  other  two,  Li- 
Kong  and  Chang,  were  sent  into  different  provinces, 
where,  although  bad  men,  being  good  generals,  they 
succeeded  in  crushing  aU  other  rogues  but  them- 
selves. The  last-named  generals,  however,  on  their 
return,  becoming  enraged  at  the  Emperor's  ingrati- 
tude, took  up  arms  against  him,  and,  finding  no  great 
difficulty  in  subduing  a  people  who  preferred  any 
other  Chinese  to  their  Emperor,  seized  upon  two  of 
the  richest  provinces,  and  established  themselves  as 
independent  royalets,  or  petty  kings. 


PREFACE.  0 

Now,  as  in  the  great  revolutions  of  England,  Amer- 
ica, and  France,  so  in  China,  anarchy  brought  forth  ita 
great  men ;  but-  foremost  among  them  all  stood  Chin- 
Chi-Loong — a  kind  of  Paul  Jones,  a  pirate  in  the 
eyes  of  his  enemies,  a  patriot  in  those  of  his  friends. 

Foimd  starving  when  a  boy,  by  the  Portuguese 
priests  at  Macao,  they  took  him  under  their  care, 
taught  him  Christianity,  and  baptized  him  by  the 
name  of  Nicholas  Gaspard.  While  quite  a  youth,  he 
took  service  on  board  a  trading  ship,  in  which  hum- 
ble position,  the  strength  of  his  intellect  and  will 
so  soon  exhibited  itself,  that  at  an  early  age  he  be- 
came second  in  command,  and  his  captain  dying  soon 
after,  left  him  sole  owner  and  commander  of  the  ves- 
sel and  its  rich  cargfo. 

Then  it  was  that  his  true  character  began  to  devel- 
op itself;  he  sought  to  accumulate  great  wealth ;  for 
tliis  purpose  he  traded  with  Japan,  Siam,  and  the 
Europeans,  so  assiduously,  that  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
rebellion,  he  had  become  the  richest  merchant  in  an 
empire  of  rich  merchants ;  but  what  to  him  was  of 
far  greater  importance,  a  po^verful  sea-chief — for  he 
then  commanded  and  owned  the  greatest  fleet  that 
ever  sailed  in  the  Chinese  seas,  and  as  he  had  taken 
care  to  arm  every  ship,  he  became  the  terror  of  the 
three  great  contending  parties;    namely,  the  Em- 


6  PREFACE. 

peror,  the  rebels,  and  the  Tartars,  who,  all  in  turn, 
at  times,  offered  great  rewards  for  his  head,  and  at 
others,  for  his  services. 

Remarkable,  however,  as  were  the  fortunes  of  this 
sea-chief,  they  were  less  so  than  those  of  his  distin- 
guished son,  the  hero  of  this  story. 

The  Author  will  only  add,  that,  although  many  of 
the  adventures  here  set  down  may  not  be  found  in 
the  pages  of  Chinese  history,  if,  entwining  informa- 
tion with  amusement,  they  bring  vividly  before  the 
mind's  eye  of  his  young  reader,  the  manners,  laws, 
legends,  superstitions,  history,  or  character  of  that 
great,  though  quaint  people  in  whom  more  than  a 
thousand  years  have  failed  to  make  any  material 
change,  his  satisfaction  will  be  the  greater  that  he 
has  again  deserved  well  of  those  to  whom  his  grati- 
tude is  due  for  the  kind,  thorough,  and  hearty  re- 
ception they  gave  to  the  Adventures  of  "Thk 
WoLP-BoY  OF  China." 

WILLIAM  DALTON. 


CONTENTS 


Obafrb  tl«l 

L — ^The  Young  Sea  Chief. — His  Mission,        .        .11 

n.— The  Demon  Ship.— The  Boy  Chow,  .        19 

m. — Adventures  at  Sea. — Rescue,  .        .        ,29 

rV. — The  Innkeeper. — ^Alarming  News,        .        .        38 

V. — ^Adventure  in  a  Buddhist  Monastery.— Chow's 

Encounter  with  a  Bonze,          ...        48 
VI. — Thrashing  the  Gods. — The  Boys  taken  Pris- 
oners,         66 

Vil. — ^Treachery  of  the   Bonzes. — Nicholas  sent  to 

Prison  as  a  Traitor, 61 

Vin. — Chow  sets  out  to  discover  some  Thieves,       .        69 
IX. — Chow  outwits  a  great  Mandarin,  and  sets  out  to 

rescue  his  Master, T6 

X. — Escape  of  Nicholas  from  Prison,       •        .        .81 

XL— Pursued  by  the  Yah-yu.— The  Boat  Wreck,  87 

XII. — Nicholas  again  taken  Prisoner,  .        .        ,94 

Xm. — Pagodas,  their  Antiquity  and  Uses,       .        .       103 

XIV. — A  dangerous  Descent, 109 

XV. — Nicholas  discovers  a  Conspiracy,  and  makes  an 

unpleasant  Entry  into  Pekin,        .        .        .114 

XVL— The  Boys  again  in  Trouble,  .        .        .126 

IVn. — Nicholas  resolves  upon  a  dangerous  Adventure,  136 


8  CONTENTS. 

OnAPTBB  Faoh 

XVIIL — The  Imperial  Gardens,          ....      146 
Xiy — The  Princess  of  the  Mings,  and  the  Lady  Can- 
dida,          150 

XX — Danger  of  the    Princess.  —  Her  Rescue  by 

Nicholas, IS'l 

XXI. — ^Assembly  of  the  great  Princes  of  the  Empire,  163 
XXII.— The  Boy  Prince  and  the  Rival  Generals,       .       170 
XXIII. — Audience  with  the  Son  of  Heaven. — Nicholas 

accuses  a  great  Prince  of  Treason,    .        .       178 
XXrV. — Nicholas  unveils  a  Rebel  Chief,        .        .        .189 
XXV. — Nicholas  and  the  Prince  have  an  Adventrire,  and 

save  the  Life  of  Chow,  .        .        .  197 

•x);  VI. — Nicholas  receives  an  important  Command,     .      210 
XXVn. — The  Rebels  attack   Pekin. — ^Treachery  of    a 

General,  and  the  Fight,     ....      214 
y  X  V  ITT. — Attack  on  the  Palace. — Suicide   of  the  Em- 
peror, the  Princess  wounded,    .        .        .      221 
XXIX. — ^The  Secret  Cavern. — The  Princess  saved  by  the 

Boys, 230 

XXX. — A  large  Stock  of  Ladies,  two  taels  per  sack,    .  237 
XXXI. — Chow  makes  a  Discovery,  and  Nicholas  a  Sur- 
prise,     242 

XXXTT. — ^Nicholas  punishes  an  ungrateful  Innkeeper,  and 

escapes  from  his  treachery,  .        .        .  25C 

XXXni. — An  Overland  Journey. — Attacked  by  "Wolves, 

and  stopped  by  a  Serpent,    ....  259 
XXXIV. — Saved  by  a  Musk  Deer. — Stories  of  wonderful 

Mountains, 264 

XXXV. — Treachery  of  the  Guide. — The  Princess  seized 

by  Robbers, 27' 

XXXVL — Once  more  Prisoners,  but  with  Friends. — The 

Guide's  Mistake, 279 


COjSTTENTS.  » 

Chaptkb  Pa«« 

XXXYII. — Interview  with  the  General. — Nicholas  causes 

Soldiers  to  be  sent  in  search  of  the  Princess,  285 
XXXVIIL— Cruel  Death  of  the  aged  Woo.— A  Battle.— 
Bravery  of  the  Boys. — Chow  taken  by  the 

Enemy, 203 

YYYTT. — The  Rebels  beaten. — Artfulness  of  the  Tartar 
King.  —  Chagrin    and    Disappointment    of 

Nicholas, 300 

XL. — The  Great  Boy  Emperor. — Nicholas  meets  with 

a  fearful  Surprise, 305 

XLI. — Nicholas  has  an  Interview  with  his  Father,  and 

leaves  Pekin  forever, 309 

XLIL — ^The  Rival  Sea  Chiefs. — Reappearance  of  an  old 

Friend. — A  comical  Battle  with  the  Tartars,  314 
XLIIL — Chow  discovers  his  Mother  and  the  Princess. — 
Rescues  them  from  the  Tartars,  and  relates 

his  Adventures, 320 

XLTV. — A  Sea  Voyage. — The  Colao  relates  the  Adven- 
tures of  the  Princess,        .        .        .        .329 
XLY. — ^They  reach  the  Palace  of  the  Sea  Chief  Koah- 

inga, 333 

ILVL — ^The  King  and  Queen  of  Formosa. — Happy  Ter- 
mination of  the  Story,      ....      33C 


THE  WAR  TIGER. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  YOUNG   SEA   CHIEF. — HIS   AnSSION, 

Nearly  midway  between  Formosa  and  the  most 
southern  point  of  the  Chinese  province  of  Fokien  are 
the  Pescadores,  a  cluster  of  small  islands,  which  are 
so  barren  that  their  few  inhabitants  are  put  to  the 
trouble  of  procui-ing  food,  and  even  fuel,  from  the 
main  land. 

These  islands,  however,  have  a  value  of  their  own 
in  the  shape  of  a  capacious  harbor  and  safe  anchorage, 
that  was  readily  seen  by  the  Dutch,  the  first  civilized 
people  who  estabhshed  themselves  upon  the  neigh- 
boring island  of  Formosa,  which,  although  a  beautiful 
and  fertile  land,  has  not  a  sufficient  depth  of  water 
for  vessels  of  great  draught. 

It  was  in  this  harbor  that  a  large  fleet  of  trading 
vessels,  laden  with  pearls,  red  copper,  sabre-bkides, 
fan-paper,  porcelain,  and  many  other  articles  of  com- 
merce purchased  at  Japan,  and  on  its  way  to  the  large 
trading  cities  further  south,  sought  shelter  from  ong 
of  the  violent  tempests  so  common  to  the  China  seas. 

One  of  these  vessels  was  anchored  in  the  direction 


12  THE    WAK    TIQEK. 

of  Formosa,  some  distance  in  advance.  Larger  than 
the  others,  she  was  also  of  European  buikl,  and 
mounted  with  ten  guns.  A  horde  of  wild  half-naked 
men  swarmed  about  the  rigging,  and  decks,  inter- 
spersed here  and  there  with  an  officer  garbed  in  the 
wide-sleeved  robe  common  to  the  Chinese  prior  to 
the  Mantchou  Tartar  conquest. 

The  aflerpart  of  the  deck  was  taken  up  with  a  tent 
formed  of  poles  and  matting  of  bamboo,  the  interior 
of  which  was  luxuriously  fitted  with  chairs,  tables, 
and  sofas,  tastefully  wrought  from  the  wood  of  rosea 
or,  as  it  is  termed  in  this  country,  rose- wood.  The 
walls,  highly  painted  and  glittering  with  japan,  were 
hung  with  Chinese  pictures  in  gilded  and  japanned 
frames.  Between  these  were  long  strips  of  satin  up 
on  which,  imprinted  in  colors  and  gold,  wei*e  some 
of  the  choicest  moral  maxims  from  the  books  of  the 
philosopher  Confucius. 

The  panes  of  the  windows,  four  in  number,  were 
formed  of  stained  transparent  paper.  In  the  piers 
between,  supported  by  glittering  branches,  were  paint- 
ed lanterns,  and  from  the  ceiling,  which  shone  with 
colors  and  carvings  of  celestial  blue  and  burnished 
gold,  was  suspended  a  gong  of  pure  silver.  So  far 
there  could  be  no  doubt  that  it  was  the  floating  hab- 
tation  of  a  wealthy  Chinese,  but  then,  curiously, 
there  was  a  total  absence  of  those  idols,  altars,  and 
burning  incense,  which  to  this  day  are  to  be  found  in 
all  Chinese  vessels.  The  truth  was,  that  although  a 
Chinese,  the  owner  was  a  Christian,  as  was  evinced 
by  a  niche  at  one  end  of  the  room,  in  which  stood  a 


THE   YOUNG   SEA   CHIEF.  13 

handsome  Prie  Dieu,  surmounted  by  a  fine  painting 
of  Christ  iipon  the  cross. 

At  this  altar,  with  liis  hands  clasped,  knelt  a  boy 
of  seventeen,  whose  high  cheek  bones,  dark  eyes,  and 
long  black  hair,  declared  his  Chinese  origin.  His 
head  and  neck  were  bare,  and  his  ample  robe  of 
green  silk,  which  reached  nearly  to  his  close  fitting 
leather  boots,  was  confined  in  the  middle  by  a  crimson 
girdle,  fastened  by  a  clasp  of  agate  stone.  From  the 
girdle  hung  a  short  straight  sword.  Although  a 
Chinese,  the  youth  was  a  Christian ;  one,  indeed,  of 
those  whose  faith  had  been  gathered  from  the  teach- 
ings of  the  early  European  missionaries,  whose  inde- 
fatigable exertions  and  untiring  patience  amidst  much 
persecution,  contumely,  and  even  martyrdom,  will 
forever  keep  their  names  green  in  the  memories  of  the 
Chinese. 

As  the  youth  arose  from  his  kneeling  position,  the 
report  of  a  gun  rang  through  the  air,  so  snatching  up 
his  cap  of  sable,  he  went  on  deck  to  welcome  the 
arrival  of  his  father,  who  ascended  the  side  of  the 
vessel  followed  by  some  half-dozen  ofiicers,  attired 
hke  himself  in  loose  robes  of  thick  brown  silk,  oiled 
to  withstand  the  weather  and  without  one  warlike 
vestment,  except  the  short  swords  which  hung  from 
their  girdles. 

Standing  with  his  head  bent  foward  and  his  arma 
straight  by  his  sides,  the  attitude  of  respect,  the  youth 
waited  for  his  father  to  salute  him,  after  which  he 
followed  him  through  the  rank  of  officers  to  the  cabin, 
when   observing  the   gloomy  aspect  of  the   chiern 


14  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

countenance,  he  said  "Has  my  honored  father,  the 
great  chief,  not  prospered  with  the  barbarian  Hollan- 
ders?" 

"  To  the  full,  my  son,  for  like  the  greedy  wolves 
they  have  purchased  the  whole  of  my  merchandise, 
and  I  have  more  than  sufficient  wealth  to  destroy 
the  vermin  enemies  who  are  turning  the  children  of 
the  Son  of  Heaven  from  those  habits  of  peace  which 
have  so  long  rendered  them  the  greatest  and  most 
prosperous  of  the  world's  people." 

"  Of  what  enemies  does  my  honorable  father  speak? 
Surely  there  are  none  but  the  savage  Tartars." 

"Of  three,  my  son, — the  Tartars,  who  are  now 
within  a  few  leagues  of  the  palace  of  Ten  Thousand 
Years  himself;  the  European  savages,  who  under  pre- 
tence of  commerce  have  obtained  a  footing,  that,  if 
not  soon  rooted  out,  will  last  forever ;  and  worse,  by 
far  worse, — ^for  internal  rebellion  is  as  destructive  to 
an  empire  as  to  an  household, — the  rebel  mandarins 
who  are  now  at  open  war  with  their  holy  sovereign." 
"Is  this  treble  sore  fresh,  that  it  should  now  so 
rankle  the  heart  and  cloud  the  brow  of  my  venerable 
parent  ?" 

"  Truly  so,  my  son,  for  although  long  festering  it 
has  but  now  reached  a  head,"  replied  the  chief,  add- 
ing, "  To  the  days  of  my  great-grandsire  the  empire 
had  been  free  from  the  profane  feet  of  barbarians. 
Tlien  the  different  governments  passed  into  the 
hands  of  cowardly  mandarins,  whose  weakness  be- 
came the  advantage  of  the  pirate  Li-Lao,  who  ravag- 
ed the  whole  coast  with  fire  and  sword,  and  to  get 


THE   YOUNG   BEA   CHIEF.  15 

rid  of  whom  the  puny  officials  sought  the  aid  of  the 
Portugals,  who    traded   at  one  of  the  outer  ports 
These  barbarians,  however,  were  brave ;  they  sought, 
fought,  and  killed  the  pirate,  and  destroyed  his  ships 
and,  as  a  reward,  were  permitted  to  settle  at  Macao." 

"  Surely,  my  father  should  be  grateful  to  these  Por- 
tugals, whose  priests  first  shed  upon  his  eyes  and 
heart  the  light  of  Christianity,"  said  the  boy  bowing 
reverently. 

"  They  taught  me  for  their  own  ends,  and  I  would 
not  trust  the  rats." 

"  But  the  red-haired  barbarians  of  Formosa,  from 
whom  my  father  has  just  returned,  are  they  of  the 
same  race  ?" 

"  Not  so,  my  son,  these  Dutch  dogs  are  from  a  dis- 
tant country  called  Holland,  where  the  people  are  so 
miserably  poor  they  cannot  afibrd  even  a  king." 

"Then  why,  O  my  father,  were  such  pauper 
barbarians  permitted  to  place  the  soles  of  their  feet 
on  the  land  of  Formosa  ?" 

"  By  fraud  and  artifice  the  rogues  obtained  their 
hold.  During  a  tempest  one  of  their  vessels  was 
driven  upon  the  coast :  the  crew  finding  the  island  to 
be  well  situated  to  their  wants,  partly  by  presents, 
partly  by  force,  persuaded  the  simple  mhabitants  to 
give  them  only  as  much  land  as  could  be  encompassed 
by  the  hide  of  an  ox,  when  the  rogues  cut  the  hide 
into  thousands  of  narrow  slips,  tied  them  end  to  end 
and  therewith  measured  the  earth,  to  the  great  sur- 
prise and  indignation  of  the  inhabitants,  who,  howev- 
er, were  too  powerless  to  ofier  resistance.    In  a  short 


16  THE   Yv"AR  -TIGER. 

time  they  were  joined  by  multitudes  of  their  country 
menand  erected  yonder  fort,  which  they  call  the  Castle 
of  Zealand." 

"Surely  the  fleet  of  my  father  can  exterminate 
these  wasps?"  said  the  boy,  whom  I  shall  for  the  fu- 
ture call  by  his  Christian  name  of  Nicholas. 

But  as  at  that  moment  an  officer  entered  the  cabin 
and  reported  the  approach  of  a  strange  ship,  father 
and  son  went  on  deck,  prepared  to  give  either  a 
salute  to  a  friend  or  a  broadside  to  a  foe. 

The  vessel  proving  to  be  a  war  junk  and  carrying 
the  dragon  flag  of  the  Emperor,  they  fired  a  salute 
of  respect,  when  a  gignal  was  made  from  the  junk 
that  she  had  on  board  the  Mandarin,  or  Deputy- 
Governor  of  Amoy,  with  a  secret  communication 
for  the  illustrious  merchant  Chiu-chi-Loong,  where- 
upon the  chief  bowed  respectfully  at  the  name  of 
so  great  a  personage,  and  prepared  to  receive  him 
with  all  the  customary  tedious  formalities. 

This  visit  from  so  important  a  personage  very 
much  puzzled  Nicholas,  who  stood  the  whole  time 
the  mandarin  was  closeted  with  his  father,  leaning 
against  a  gun,  in  deep  thought.  When  the  man- 
darin had  finished  and  the  official  had  taken  his 
departure,  Nicholas  returned  to  the  cabin,  where 
he  found  the  chief  sitting  thoughtfully  with  hia 
hand  upon  the  satin  wrapper  of  a  letter,  which 
from  the  great  seals  affixed  and  the  characters  Hong 
Fong  (guarded  and  sealed),  he  knew  must  be  of 
great  importance  and  from  some  high  personage. 

"My  information   is   truthful,"   said    the    chief; 


THE   YOUNG   SEA   CHIEF.  17 

"  there  is  treason  among  the  lords  of  the  court,  and 
the  dogs  believing  Chin-Chi-Loong  to  be  as  vile  as 
themselves,  have  offered  him  the  title  of  king  and 
the  island  of  Formosa,  if  he  will  aid  them  with  his 
ships,  wealth,  and  men." 

"  What  answer  made  my  honorable  father  ?"  said 
Nicholas. 

"  A  promise  to  consent,  that  the  traitors  may  be 
caught  like  rats  in  a  trap." 

"  Surely  this  is  not  well,  for  why  need  the  brave 
stoop  to  such  villainy  ?"  replied  the  youth  boldly. 

Not  noticing  this  reply,  the  chief  became  pensive 
for  a  few  minutes,  then  exclaimed,  "Would  that 
I  could  place  a  letter  in  the  hands  of  the  Son  of 
Heaven  himself!" 

Surely  that  cannot  be  a  difficulty,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  Alas !  my  son,  Wey-t-song  is  so  resigned  to  his 
pleasures  and  the  company  of  the  vile  bonzes,  that 
the  audience-denying  tablet  is  for  ever  suspended  at 
the  gates  of  the  inner  palace." 

"  Truly  it  is  a  maxim  that  nothing  is  impossible 
to  the  brave.  Let  my  father  place  the  letter  in  the 
hands  of  his  son,  and  it  shall  reach  the  imperial 
eyes !" 

For  a  minute  the  chief  gazed  proudly  at  the  boy, 
then  passing  his  hand  across  his  eyes,  as  if  to  chase 
away  some  sad  thought,  said,  "  It  shall  be  so,  but 
for  nofhmg  less  than  the  safety  of  his  Emperor 
would  Chin-Clii-Loong  risk  the  life  of  his  only  son ; 
but  haste,  and  assume  the  dress  of  a  traveling  mer^ 
chant,  while  I  prepare  these  important  characters." 
2 


IS  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

Without  another  word  Nicholas  left  the  cabin,  re 
turning,  however,  shortly  afterward,  dressed  in  a 
plain  robe  of  coarse  brown  silk,  with  a  girdle  of  the 
same  color,  a  couple  of  short  swords  beneath  his 
garment,  and  thick  staff  of  bamboo. 

"  This  promptness  is  good  and  bespeaks  success," 
said  the  chief,  laying  his  hand  on  a  letter  which  was 
enclosed  in  three  wrappers  of  satin,  the  outer  being 
sealed  in  many  places,  adding,  "  Secure  this  packet 
beneath  thy  inner  robe,  for  upon  its  safety  may  de- 
pend the  fate  of  the  empire.  I  know  not  by  what 
means  thou  mayest  reach  the  Emperor,  therefore, 
when  in  Pekm  it  would  be  well  to  seek  the  merchant 
Yang,  in  the  great  square,  who  will  aid  the  son  of 
the  great  merchant  of  the  south."  Then  taking 
another  letter  from  the  table,  he  added,  "  As  you 
pass  through  the  city  of  Hang-tcheou,  seek  out 
Father  Adam,  the  chief  priest  of  the  Christians,  and 
place  this  in  his  hands ;  but  guard  it  well,  for  the 
contents  are  such  that  were  they  to  meet  the  eye- 
balls of  the  bonzes  it  might  prove  thy  destruction." 

Then  placing  a  valuable  ring  on  the  boy's  finger 
and  telling  him  to  take  what  silver  he  might  require, 
till  he  reached  the  merchant  of  Pekin,  who  would 
r»apply  him  with  more,  he  bid  farewell  to  Nicholas, 
who,  signalling  one  of  the  consort  ships,  went  on 
board,  and  was  soon  landed  at  the  port  of  Amoy. 


THE  DEMON  SHIP.  19 


CHAPTER  n. 

THE   DEMON   SHIP. — THE   EOT   ITHOW. 

Taking  a  passage  in  a  merchant  junk  bound  to 
the  port  of  Ning-Po,  Nicholas  continued  his  journey 
for  some  days  without  meeting  with  any  event  of 
importance.  The  voyage  was,  hoWever,  rendered 
very  tedious  by  the  idolatry  of  the  sailors,  who 
spent  a  great  portion  of  their  time  in  offering  up 
presents  to  a  dirty  little  wooden  god  stuck  behind 
a  small  oil  lamp,  the  odor  from  which  was  any 
thing  but  agreeable.  They  would  moreover  fre- 
quently stop  the  ship  to  offer  meat  and  incense  to 
the  images  of  the  sea  goddess  Ma-tsoo-po,  which  are 
perched  upon  almost  every  promontory  upon  the 
Chinese  coast. 

They  had  been  at  sea,  or  rather  along  the  coast, 
for  these  sailors  never  venture  far  from  land,  six 
days,  when  tne  murky  atmosphere,  the  heavy  swell 
of  the  waves  as  they  rolled  inward,  and  the  flutter- 
ng  flight  of  the  sea-fowl,  betokened  a  coming  storm; 
and  the  crew,  trembling  with  fear,  thought  of  little 
else  but  making  offerings  to  the  dirty  little  god, 
praying  of  him  to  stop  the  storm.  A  sailor  and  a 
Christian  from  his  childhood,  Nicholas  was  no  less 
disgusted  with  their  cowardice  than  their  foolish  su- 


20  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

perstition,  and  really  fearing  that  the  ship  would  he 
dashed  to  pieces  upon  a  rock,  he  earnestly  entreated 
them  to  exert  themselves.  His  efforts,  however, 
were  useless,  for  their  faith  was  firm  in  the  power 
of  their  gods,  whose  protection  they  sought  to  pur- 
chase in  the  following  curious  manner  : — 

Taking  a  quantity  of  gilt  paper,  kept  on  board 
for  the  purpose,  they  cut  it  into  the  shape  of  copper 
tchen,  the  only  coin  in  the  empire,  and  threw  them 
into  the  sea  as  a  bribe  to  the  goddess  Ma-tsoo-po ; 
but  finding  that  the  marine  lady's  favor  was  not  to 
be  bought  so  cheaply,  the  whole  crew  began  to  busy 
themselves  in  building  a  paper  ship,  which,  by  the 
way,  was  so  ingeniously  constructed  thai  it  formed 
an  exact  model  of  their  own  junk,  being  complete 
with  masts,  ropes,  sails,  flags,  compass,  rudder,  a 
crew,  victuals,  and  even  a  book  of  accounts. 

"When  this  redoubtable  vessel  was  finished  they 
let  it  into  the  sea  with  great  ceremony,  and  amidst 
the  deafening  clatter  of  drums  and  instruments,  and 
their  own  shoutings  to  the  goddess,  to  wreak  her 
vengeance  upon  the  toy  instead  of  her  adorers' 
ship. 

Nevertheless  the  hard-hearted  goddess  was  not 
to  be  caught  with  tinsel,  for  the  storm  raged  with 
Buch  terrible  violence  that  the  frail  bark  would 
speedily  have  been  dashed  to  atoms  but  for  Nicho- 
las, who,  after  persuading  a  few  of  the  least  obstinate 
jf  the  men  to  help  him,  set  to  work  and  managed  to 
ieep  her  head  so  straight  that  they  passed  through 
the  channel  without  touching  the  rocks  by  which  it 


THE  DEMON  SHIP.  21 

was  bounded  on  either  side.  So  fearful  was  the 
hurricane  of  circular  winds  that  the  shiverinc:  crew 
could  see  trees  torn  up  by  the  roots  as  easily  as  corks 
out  of  bottles  by  corkscrews.  At  length,  however, 
the  storm  subsided,  and  the  sailors  believing  that 
nothing  less  than  a  deity  could  have  enabled  their 
vessel  to  live  in  such  a  storm,  fell  upon  their  knees 
before  Nicholas  and  thanked  him  for  quelling  the 
fury  of  the  elements. 

"  Let  my  brothers  toss  their  stupid  idol  into  the  sea, 
and  offer  up  thanks  to  the  One  true  God  of  heaven, 
who  alone  has  saved  them,"  said  the  boy. 

Enraged  at  this  insult  to  their  god,  the  sailors  gave 
full  vent  to  their  disapprobation,  and  would  have 
tossed  the  bold  youth  into  the  sea  but  for  a  sudden 
cry  from  the  look-out  man. 

"  The  wasps  of  the  ocean  !  the  wasps  of  the  ocean 
are  upon  us !" 

At  this  cry  the  crew  took  alarm,  and  ran  to  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  vessel,  and  armed  themselves  with 
pikes,  swords,  or  any  weapon  upon  which  they  could 
place  their  hands. 

Taking  the  glass  from  the  trembling  hands  of  the 
ook-out  man,  Nicholas  endeavored  to  make  out  the 
cause  of  the  alarm.  It  was  a  large  floating  object  at 
a  great  distance,  and  bore  some  resemblance  to  a 
ship,  still,  notwithstanding  the  track  it  left  behind  in 
the  water,  he  was  doubtful ;  but  before  he  could 
make  up  his  mind  the  captain  snatched  the  glass 
from  his  hands,  glanced  through  it,  declared  hia 
opinion  that  it  was  a  wasp  of  the  ocean,  or  pirate, 


22  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

and  ordered  his  vessel  to  be  put  back,  with  the  hope 
of  outrunning  her. 

Then  the  first  officer  took  the  glass,  and  after 
gazing  for  some  time,  said,  "Truly,  my  brothers, 
this  is  no  ship,  but  a  frightful  demon  that  the  in- 
sulted Ma-tsoo-po  has  sent  from  the  bottom  of  the 
sea  to  devour  us  for  carrying  this  impious  youth." 

This  was  sufficient  for  the  superstitious  fear  of  the 
the  crew,  who,  clustering  toward  Nicholas,  with  one 
voice  cried,  "Over  the  side  with  the  irrehgious 
dog." 

Seeing  no  other  chance,  the  boy  ran  to  the  stern 
of  the  vessel,  and,  keeping  them  at  a  distance  with 
his  sword,  said,  "Let  my  brothers  open  their  ears. 
Their  servant  has  brought  this  calamity  upon  them, 
but  will  yet  save  them  from  the  anger  of  the 
demon  by  seeking  him  before  he  reaches  the  vessel, 
for  surely  the  demon  will  be  satisfied  with  one 
victim." 

"  The  boy's  words  are  good,  and  if  he  wiU  pay  for 
the  boat  it  shall  be  so,  otherwise  it  is  not  well  that 
we  should  lose  its  value,"  said  the  artful  captain, 
fearing  he  should  lose  any  money  Nicholas  might 
have  about  his  person. 

"Back,  rat!"  said  he  to  the  advancing  captain, 
keeping  him  ofi"  with  his  sword  and  springing  side- 
ward on  to  the  edge  of  the  junk,  adding,  "  Lower 
the  boat,  with  provisions,  and  I  will  give  you  silver ; 
refuse,  and  I  will  leap  into  the  sea." 

Fearing  he  would  keep  his  word,  the  crew  placed 
some  rice  cakes  and  a  small  water  cask  in  the  boat 


THE   DEMON   SHIP.  23 

and  lowered  it;  and  when  Nicholas  saw  it  fairly 
afloat,  and  held  but  by  one  cord,  he  scrambled  down 
the  side  like  a  cat,  drew  his  sword  across  the  rope, 
threw  a  handful  of  silver  upon  the  deck,  and  pulled  so 
hard  at  the  oars  that  in  a  very  short  time  he  was  far 
out  of  the  cowards'  reach  and  on  his  way  to  the  float- 
ing demon ;  which,  however  he  had  no  sooner  caught 
full  sight  of  than  he  laughed  till  he  could  handle  the 
oars  no  longer,  for  the  terrible  demon  who  had 
scared  the  wits  of  the  saUors  proved  to  be  neither 
more  nor  less  than  a  great  tree  which  the  circular 
winds  had  wrested  from  the  earth  with  such  violence 
that  the  root  had  dragged  with  it  a  mass  of  earth 
and  pebbles  sufficient  to  keep  it  afloat  in  a  perfectly 
upright  position,  when,  with  its  spreading  branches 
and  lower  boughs,  it  bore  in  the  distance  no  bad  re- 
semblance to  a  weU-rigged  vessel. 

Rowing  cautiously,  for  fear  the  tree  might  topple 
over  and  upset  his  boat,  he  heard  a  faint  cry.  Sure- 
ly it  could  not  be  human ;  he  hstened ;  again  he 
heard  it ;  and  looking  upward  you  may  imagine  his 
astonishment  at  seeing  a  boy  sitting  across  one  of 
the  upper  branches. 

"  "Who  cries  for  help  ?"  said  Nicholas. 

"  It  is  the  miserable  Chow,  who  must  die  if  the 
benevolent  stranger  will  not  aid  him,"  was  the 
reply. 

"  Canst  thou  swim,  O  Chow  ?    K  so,  drop  into 

he  water,  for  I  dare  not  come  nearer,"  said  Nicho- 

« ;  but  scarcely  had  he  spoken  when  a  strong  gust 

of  wind  toppled  the  tree  over  with  its  great  arms 


24  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

stretched  out  as  if  to  save  itself  from  falling.  For- 
tunately it  fell  in  an  opposite  direction  to  the  boat. 
In  the  fall  the  boy  was  dashed  so  violently  upon  the 
water,  that  becoming  instantly  senseless  he  would 
have  sunk  but  for  Nicholas,  who,  getting  hold  of  the 
long  hair  of  his  head,  managed  to  drag  him  into  the 
boat.  Upon  recovering  his  senses  he  said,  "  Alas ! 
then,  Yen-Vang  has  poor  Chow  after  all." 

"  Thou  art  far  away  from  the  king  of  the  lower 
regions,  my  poor  Chow,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  By  the  social  relations,  I  am  alive  and  on  earth 
— no,   on   water — and  ungrateful  to  the  benevolent 
stranger,"    said  the   boy,    holding   his   head   with 
both  hands,  as  if  the  better  to  comprehend  his  situ 
ation. 

"  Satisfy  thy  hunger  and  say  how  it  happened  that 
Chow  came  to  be  perched  like -a  wild  goose  on  a 
masthead,"  said  Nicholas,  giving  the  boy  some  of  the 
rice  cakes,  which  he  devoured  as  ravenously  as  if  he 
had  not  tasted  food  for  a  week. 

The  lad,  who  had  so  imexpectedly  made  the  ac- 
quaintance of  Nicholas,  was  a  taU,  bony  youth  of 
about  sixteen,  with  a  broad  forehead,  sparkling  black 
eyes,  and  covered  with  a  coarse  robe,  so  torn  and 
tattered,  that  he  might  have  passed  for  a  beggar  of 
the  lowest  class. 

When  he  had  satisfied  his  hunger,  Chow  clasped 
the  knees  of  his  new  friend,  and  with  tears  of  grati 
tude  flowing  down  his  cheek,  said,  "  Chow  wiU  be 
thy  slave,  O  generous  stranger,  for  truly  it  could  be 
for  no  other  purpose  that  the  gods  have  saved  his  life." 


THE    DEMON    SUIP.  25 

*'  Tush !  talk  not  of  slavery  or  gods,  Chow,  but 
say  what  is  thy  name,  surname,  and  the  rank  of  thy 
family,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  Truly,  the  story  of  Chow  is  as  miserable  as  his 
own  mean  person.  I  am  from  Tun-Hien,  in  Ching- 
Foo,  in  the  province  of  Tche-Kiang.  My  father  was 
a  mandarin  of  the  fifth  rank,  who  having  taken  a 
good  degree,  held  office  under  the  governor  of  the 
fort,  till  one  moon  since,  when  the  terrible  rebel,  Li- 
Kong,  took  possession  of  the  city  in  defiance  of  the 
Son  of  Heaven  himself,  and  massacred  all  who  would 
not  submit ;  my  father  being  one  of  the  first  to  ac- 
knowledge the  traitor,  became  the  first  to  be  pun- 
ished for  his  disloyalty  to  our  holy  Emperor,  which 
hajjpened  as  thy  servant  will  relate. 

"  One  day,  my  mother,  who  was  accounted  very 
handsome,  so  far  forgot  the  social  regulations  laid 
down  for  women,  as  to  stand  gazing  from  a  window 
white  a  body  of  soldiers  passed  through  the  street. 
For  that  unbecoming  act,  both  my  venerable  father 
and  myself  suffered,  for  the  officer  clattered  at  the 
door,  when  the  servants  not  daring  to  refuse  so 
powerful  a  personage,  admitted  him  to  the  house, 
when  he  ran  into  the  inner  apartment  of  my  mother, 
who  was  so  alarmed  at  such  barbarian  behavior, 
that  she  rose  to  leave,  when  the  villain  would  have 
carried  her  away  but  for  thy  insignificant  servant, 
who  clutched  his  throat  and  so  gashed  his  cheek  that 
the  waters  even  of  the  yellow  stream  will  never 
wash  them  out. 

"Hearing    the    struggle,  the    soldiers    came   to 


26  THE   WAR  TIGER, 

the  rogue's  help,  and  would  have  killed  poot 
Chow,  but  for  my  father,  who,  returning  at  th« 
moment,  compelled  -the  officer,  bad  and  bold  as  he 
was,  to  make  his  escape ;  but,  alas !  no  sooner  had 
the  rogue  left,  than  instead  of  being  grateful,  my 
father  burst  into  loud  lamentations,  crying,  'Alas, 
alas  !  that  ever  so  mean  a  person  was  born,  for  thou 
hast  insiilted  the  chief  favorite  of  the  prince,  who 
will  assuredly  be  revenged;'  and  so  it  proved,  for 
the  next  day  we  were  all  taken  before  the  prince,  who 
ordered  the  whole  family  to  be  exterminated,  and 
our  house  burnt  to  the  ground ;  but  what  was  worse, 
alas !  my  father  was  not  even  strangled,  but  disgraced 
by  being  sent  to  the  yellow  stream  incomplete,  for  he 
was  beheaded  on  the  spot,  and  the  villain  officer  beg- 
ged his  wife  as  a  slave,  to  which,  in  her  misery,  my 
mother  offered  to  consent  if  they  would  but  spare 
the  life  of  thy  miserable  servant,  her  son.  To  this 
the  prince  consented,  but  the  officer  was  so  enraged 
at  the  wound  in  his  cheek,  that  he  ordered  me  to  be 
dressed  in  beggar's  rags,  and  beaten  out  of  the  town 
toward  the  sea.  Accordingly  the  wretches  beat  me 
till  I  could  not  stand,  and  left  me  to  starve  and  die 
or  the  sea-shore. 

'•For  days  and  days  I  wandered  in  the  hope  that 
Borae  fisherman  would  take  compassion  upon  me ;  but 
alas !  none  dared  to  encourage  so  treasonous  a  youtli 
for  fear  of  suffering  similar  pimishment ;  then,  but  foi 
the  hope  that  retaining  my  miserable  existence  would 
some  fortunate  day  enable  me  to  punish  the  villain,  I 
should  have  thrown  myself  into   the  sea,  although 


THE   DEMON   SHIP.  27 

even  that  consolation  I  could  not  seek  without  impi- 
ously forgetting  my  duty  to  my  father,  for  has  it  not 
been  wisely  said  that  we  should  not  live  beneath  the 
same  heaven  with  the  destroyer  of  our  parents  ?" 

"  It  is  a  pagan  doctrine,  Chow ;  but  how  came  you 
upon  yonder  perch  ?"  said  Nicholas. 

"  Without  hope,  tired,  and  sad,  I  wandered  along 
the  coast  till  the  great  storm  sent  the  terrified  wild 
animals  in  all  directions  ;  to  escape  from  them  I  clunb- 
ed  a  tree  upon  the  very  verge  of  the  sea,  when 
shortly  afterward  the  wind-demon  blew  one  great  gust 
which  carried  it  into  the  sea,  where  its  great  spread- 
ing root  and  the  earth  around  kept  it  floating  till  the 
benevolent  stranger  came  to  my  rescue." 

"  Thou  shalt  be  revenged  upon  this  villain  officer, 
my  poor  Chow,  and  upon  the  greater  rogue,  Li- 
Kong,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  How, — what  words  are  these  ?  surely  the  benev- 
olent stranger  cannot  be  in  his  senses  to  speak  thus 
of  men  so  powerful,"  replied  the  astonished  Chow. 

"  What  would  Chow  do  to  obtain  the  punishment 
of  his  enemies  ?  Would  he  faithfully  serve  the  stran- 
ger who  has  saved  his  life  ?" 

"  If  these  are  the  words  of  truth, — and  who  is  thy 
mean  servant  that  he  should  doubt  ? — O  wonderful 
stranger.  Chow  will  be  thy  slave  till  he  goes  to  meet 
his  ancestors." 

"Then,  surely  as  I  have  spoken,  it  shaU  be  so. 
But  how  wouldst  thou  know  this  vile  rogue  again  ?" 

"  Is  it  possible  for  a  son  to  forget  the  slayer  of  his 
parent,  even  if  the  wound  in  his  face  would  not  be* 


28  THE   WAR   TIGER. 

tray  him  ?"  said  Chow,  who  gazing  earnestly  m  the 
face  of  Nicholas,  added,  "  Art  thou  really  a  boy  or 
a  man  of  short  measure  ?" 

"  Truly,  like  thyself,  a  hoy  of  long  measure  and 
ample  fullness,  whose  mean  surname  is  Nicholas,' 
said  the  other  laughing. 

"  No,  no,  noble  Nicholas,  not  like  Chow ;  for  if  a 
boy,  thou  art  like  him  who  became  the  Emperor 
Tait-sou,  a  little  great  man-boy,"  said  Chow. 


ADVENTUEES   AT   SEA.  29 


CHAPTER  m. 

ADVENTURES   AT    SEA. — KESCUE. 

Havtn^g  recovered  his  strength,  Chow  took  a  turn 
at  the  oars,  and  for  an  hour  pulled  lustily,  to  get 
as  far  from  the  coast  as  possible,  for  fear  of  being 
observed  by  any  straggling  party  of  the  rebels  who 
might  pursue  them,  when,  if  they  searched  Nicho- 
las and  discovered  the  letter,  farewell  to  the  sea 
chiefs  schemes.  This  fear,  however,  soon  became 
absorbed  in  a  greater;  night  came  on,  and  brave 
sailor  as  he  was,  Nicholas  did  not  fancy  being  upon 
that  stormy  sea  in  such  a  fragile  boat. 

Then  Nicholas  took  the  oars,  and  had  not  been 
pulling  long,  when  he  perceived  the  glimmering  of  a 
light  in  the  distance.  He  rested  for  a  moment ;  the 
light  grew  larger  and  nearer :  this  was  hopeful ;  it 
might  be  the  lantern  of  a  trading  ship ;  yet  fearful, 
for  it  might  be  a  pirate.  The  suspense  was  temble, 
'and  like  a  gallant  fellow  he  determined  to  end  it  as 
soon  as  possible ;  for  this  purpose  he  pulled  heartily, 
and  was  rewarded  at  length  by  getting  near  enough 
to  the  stranger  to  distinguish  voices,  then  a  few  long 
pulls,  and  strong  pulls,  and  he  reached  the  ship, 
when  by  the  Ught  from  her  lanterns  perceiA-ing  some 
ropes  hanging  out,  he  clambered  up  her  side,  telling 


^0  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

Chow  to  follow.  In  another  second  they  both  stood 
upon  the  deck,  but  also  in  the  arms  of  men,  who 
would  have  stabbed  them  with  their  knives  but  for 
the  i^resence  of  mind  of  our  hero,  who  exclaimed, 
"  Fear  not,  brothers  of  the  sea,  we  are  not  pirates." 

The  men,  however,  not  being  so  easily  appeased, 
bound  the  arms  of  the  boys  with  ropes  and  took 
them  into  the  presence  of  the  captain,  much  to  the 
disgust  of  Chow,  who  said,  "  Truly  it  is  a  maxim 
that  a  servant  should  follow  his  master,  but  our 
career  will  be  one  of  short  measure  by  this  strange 
froHc,  O  noble  Nicholas." 

"Silence,  Chow,  let  not  thy  heart  leap  between 
thy  lips  at  the  first  threat  of  danger,"  said  Nicholas 
angrily. 

The  bravest  war  tiger  would  become  a  mouse  with 
his  body  packed  as  closely  as  a  cotton  ball,"  said 
Chow  surlily. 

The  captain,  however,  no  sooner  saw  Nicholas, 
than  with  a  start  of  surprise  he  ordered  the  sailora 
to  leave  the  cabin,  and  took  up  a  large  knife  from 
the  cabin  table,  when  the  terrified  Chow  cried, 
"  Take  the  worthless  life  of  thy  mean  slave,  O  noble 
commander,  but  in  the  name  of  thy  ancestors  spare 
my  noble  master." 

Chow's  fear  became  surprise  in  no  small  degree 
when  the  captain,  without  noticing  his  prayer,  not 
only  cut  the  cords  from  the  arm^  of  Nicholas,  but 
made  him  a  respectful  bow. 

"Thanks,  worthy  commander,"  said  Nicholas, 
taking  the  knife  and  releasing  Chow. 


ADVENTURES   AT  SEA.  81 

"Truly  the  heavens  have  tumbled  do^vii  a  sur- 
prise," said  Chow,  with  a  caper,  adding,  "Is  the 
noble  man-boy  a  good  demon,  that  he  can  trans- 
form enemies  into  friends  with  a  glance  of  his 
eye  ?" 

Without,  however,  satisfying  Chow,  Nicholas 
asked  the  captain  to  give  the  boy  a  sleeping  mat 
in  another  cabin,  after  which  he  said,  "It  is  well, 
O  Yung,  that  you  chanced  to  be  at  sea  this  night,  or 
my  noble  parent  would  have  had  to  mourn  his  son." 
But  Httle  more  passed,  for  Nicholas  was  glad  to  seek 
a  long  rest,  and  possession  of  the  sleeping  mat  which 
the  captain  resigned  to  him. 

The  reason  of  this  civility  is  easily  explained — 
the  vessel  itself  belonged  to  the  sea  chief,  and  its 
commander  was  one  of  his  officers  in  charge  ou  a 
voyage  to  Ning-Po,  which  port  they  reached  the 
following  day.  Having  landed,  the  boys  took 
leave  of  the  captain,  and  sought  a  lodging  at  one 
of  the  largest  inns,  where,  after  resting  for  a  few 
days,  Nicholas  began  to  prepare  for  his  journey 
inland. 

His  first  care  was  to  furnish  Chow  with  a  be- 
coming robe  of  stout  silk,  a  cap,  trousers,  and  thick- 
soled  leather  boots.  As  soon  as  the  boy  had  put 
them  on  he  began  to  caper  about,  crying,  "My 
master  is  generous,  and  the  gods  will  reward  him 
for  making  a  poor  boy  decent  enough  to  pay  duo 
reverence  to  the  tombs  of  his  ancestors,  for  truly 
he  could  not  worthily  sweep  the  dust  from  their 
resting-place     in    such     mibecoming     tatters;    foi 


32  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

altlioagh  Chow  is  poor,  lie  is  of  worthy  descent  and 
honorable  relations." 

"  Truly,  Chow,  thou  art  now  fit  to  take  a  degree 
at  the  next  examination  at  Pekin,  if  we  ever  arrive 
there,"  said  Nicholas. 

"It  is  not  reasonable  that  the  noble  Nicholas 
should  laugh  at  his  mean  servant,  for  at  the  ex- 
amination of  his  Hien  he  passed  so  creditably 
through  the  first  two  sacred  books,  that  he  would 
have  obtained  a  government  promotion  but  for  the 
villain  who  destroyed  his  house.  May  his  soul  pass 
into  the  body  of  a  rat  /"  said  Chow  gloomily. 

"Pardon,  O  disappointed  scholar.  It  was  vil- 
lainous to  laugh,  for  it  is  a  wise  saying,  '  that  the 
well  to  do  should  sympathize  with  the  unfortunate,' " 
said  Nicholas,  adding,  as  he  took  his  cap,  "  But  let 
us  now  seek  for  a  passage-boat,  for  it  is  also  wisely 
said,  '  that  the  loiterer  about  the  business  of  another 
is  ia capable  of  conducting  his  own  afiairs.'  " 

When  they  reached  the  river,  they  engaged  a 
passage  to  Ilang-tcheou,  and  having  waited  for  a 
favorable  tide,  the  barge  was  soon  out  of  the  river 
into  a  canal,  upon  which  for  days  they  proceeded, 
at  times  being  pushed  along  by  poles  thrust  into 
the  water,  at  others,  being  drawn  along  by  coohes, 
or  porters,  an  employment  that  afibrds  a  means  of 
existence  to  a  vast  portion  of  the  population  of 
China. 

Tche-Kiang,  through  which  they  so  leisurely 
traveled,  is,  perhaps,  the  most  fertile  and  beautiful 
of   the   eighteen  provinces    of   China,    and    large 


ADVENTURES  AT  SEA.  SS 

enough  to  contain  the  whole  of  Scotland  and  its 
adjacent  islands.  Besides  rivers,  it  is  watered  by 
some  sixty  canals,  which  serve  not  only  as  an  easy 
method  of  transit,  but  so  to  irrigate  the  great  plains 
around  that  they  yield  crops  of  rice,  pulse,  and 
cotton,  twice  and  sometimes  thrice  a  year.  It  was 
pleasant  to  watch  these  canals  pouring  fbrth  their 
sparkling  hmpid  streams  to  lave  the  feet  of  the 
neighboring  hills  and  mountains,  which  for  many 
miles  presented  an  aspect  of  singular  beauty ;  some, 
like  carved  and  nature  painted  pyramids,  being 
wrought  into  terraces,  which  shot  one  out  of  the 
other,  teeming  with  the  yellow  grain,  cotton,  'or  tea- 
trees,  whUe  others  were  thickly  sprinkled  with  shady 
trees,  which  waved  over  sloping  cemeteries  of  quaint- 
ly shaped  tombs  and  temples.  It  was  a  charming 
picture — nature  dressed  to  the  verge  of  foppery — 
moi'e,  it  was  a  glorious  land,  and  smiling  as  if  in 
pride  at  its  power  of  blessing  the  himian  race — and 
more  again,  that  its  owners  knew  its  worth  and  in- 
dustriously stretched  its  blessings  to  the  utmost. 

Then  the  boat  came  to  a  dike,  or  sluice,  and  they 
were  about  to  enter  another  canal  at  least  fifteen  fee 
beneath  their  level.  To  pass  this,  the  barge  waf 
hoisted  by  Coohes  up  an  inclmed  plain  of  freestone 
by  means  of  ropes  upon  capstans  and  sheer  strength 
of  muscle,  then  gently  let  down  a  slope  upon  the 
other  side  into  the  water,  a  mode  adopted  to  the 
present  day  to  mOve  even  the  largest  vessels  from 
canal  to  canal. 

Thus  pleasantly  the  young  travelers  were  wafted 
3 


34  WAR  TIGER. 

through  the  province,  now  through  vast  plains  of 
rice,  then  by  the  sides  of  great  hills  clustering  with 
the  tea-plant,  on  again  through  vast  orchards  of  mul- 
berry-trees and  the  useful  and  curious  tallow-plant ; 
then  again  through  plantations  of  bamboo,  that  in- 
separable companion  of  the  Chinaman  from  the 
cradle  to  the  grave — for  it  receives  the  infant,  cor- 
rects the  boy,  is  the  means  of  Uving  for  the  man, 
and  entwines  the  corpse.  Then  again  they  passed 
through  towns  and  cities,  swarming  with  busy 
workers  at  the  silk-loom  and  multifarious  handicrafts, 
and  toiling  children,  women,  and  men  in  the  fields, 
till  they  passed  another  dike,  and  then  they  were 
upon  the  beautiful  lake  Tsao-hou,  about  the  naming 
of  which  the  following  pretty  story  is  told  : — 

"Many  years  ago  there  lived  a  priest  of  the 
Taouist  religion,  who  had  obtained  a  reputation  for 
his  skill  in  magic.  At  the  festival  of  the  feast  of 
dragon  boats,  the  priest  went  to  sport  in  the  river  in 
honor  of  his  gods,  but  by  some  mischance  he  was 
drowned,  and  his  body  no  where  to  be  found.  His 
dutiful  daughter,  Tsao-hou,  a  girl  fourteen  years  of 
age,  felt  her  father's  loss  so  deeply  that  she  wandered 
along  the  banks  of  the  river  for  seventeen  days  and 
nights,  weeping  and  wailing  over  her  loss.  At  last 
she  threw  a  large  melon  into  the  river,  putting  up 
the  prayer,  '  May  this  melon  sink  wherever  the  body 
of  my  father  lieth.'  With  anxious  eyes  she  watched 
the  gourd  as  it  floated  on  the  surface  of  the  stream, 
until  it  stopped  at  a  certain  spot  where  it  sank.  The 
poor  damsel,  frantic  with  grief,  rushed  to  the  place 


ADVENTURES   AT   SEA.  35 

and  plunged  after  it.  She  too  was  drowned,  but 
five  days  afterward  her  lifeless  trunk  rose  to  the  sur- 
face  with  her  father's  body  in  her  embrace.  Both 
were  buried  on  the  river  bank,  and  in  commemora- 
tion of  that  incident  the  name  of  the  girl  was  given 
to  the  lake  and  a  magnificent  temple  erected  to  her 
name." 

On  the  sixth  day  they  came  to  Chao-hing,  the 
Venice  of  China,  where  the  canals  are  so  numei'ous 
that  any  portion  of  the  city  may  be  reached  by 
boats.  Imagine  a  city  with,  in  place  of  streets,  one 
large  network  of  water-roads,  intersected  with 
bridges,  so  light  and  fanciful  that  one  could  imagine 
them  to  have  been  blown  together  by  the  breath  of 
fairies,  and  you  will  have  some  notion  of  Chao-hing. 

This  city  is  celebrated  alike  for  its  silk-worms  and 
book-Worms.  So  great  is  the  reputation  of  the  scho- 
lars of  Chao-hing  that  they  are  sought  for  by  tho 
viceroys  of  provinces  to  fill  government  ofiices. 
Near  to  this  city  and  not  far  from  the  mountain  of 
Asses  (so  called  from  its  being  shaped  in  the  form  of 
that  animal)  is  the  sepulchre  of  the  great  Emperor 
Yu,  the  model  sovereign  of  China. 

This  prince  obtained  the  throne  by  having  saved 
the  empire  from  the  deluge  of  water  which  in  his 
time  covered  the  lands ;  indeed,  he  must  have  been 
no  common  engineer,  for  in  thirteen  years,  by  un- 
wearied labor,  he  leveled  high  mountains,  embanked 
and  confined  great  rivers  within  their  channels, 
drained  lakes  and  marshes,  enclosed  rapid  torrents 
with  banks,  and  divided  rivers  into  canals,  which  not 


36  THE   WAR   TIGER. 

only  gained  a  great  extent  of  country,  but  rendered 
the  whole  more  fertile.  It  was  the  great  genius  and 
wonderful  energy  of  Yu  that  caused  the  reigning 
Emperor  to  choose  him  for  his  successor  in  prefer- 
ence to  either  of  the  four  pi-inces,  his  sons. 

Among  other  remarkable  things  told  of  this  Em 
peror,  it  is  said  that  he  first  taught  the  people  to  cul 
tivate,  sow,  and  manure  lands,  and  divided  his  do- 
minions into  nine  provinces,  causing  as  many  great 
brazen  vessels  to  be  made,  on  each  of  which  a  map  of 
a  i^rovince  Avas  engraved.  In  succeeding  times  these 
vessels  became  very  precious,  for  it  was  believed 
that  the  safety  of  the  state  depended  on  their 
security,  and  that  whoever  obtained  them  would  also 
obtain  the  crown. 

A  qualification  rare  amongst  kings  was  possessed 
by  this  useful  prince.  He  hated  flatterers,  and  the 
only  way  to  gain  his  favor  was  to  tell  him  of  his 
faults.  Moreover,  Yu  thought  no  employment  so 
becoming  a  sovereign  as  doing  justice  to  the  people ; 
thus  he  gave  access  to  his  subjects  at  all  hours,  and 
that  no  obstacle  might  be  thrown  in  their  way, 
he  had  afiixed  to  his  palace  gates  a  bell,  a  drum, 
and  three  tables,  one  of  iron,  one  of  stone,  and 
another  of  lead,  upon  either  of  which  people  who 
wanted  an  audience  were  to  strike. 

The  bell  was  to  distinguish  civil  affairs,  the  drum 
for  matters  relating  to  law  or  rehgion,  the  leaden 
table  for  the  ministers,  the  tablet  of  stone  to  denote 
a  complaint  of  Avrong  done  by  some  magistrate, 
and  lastly  the  iron  tablet  was  to  denote  any  very 


ADVENTUEES   AT   SEA.  S7 

serious  trouble.  So  rigorously  did  Yu  adhere  to 
this  rule,  that  it  is  said  that  he  arose  from  table 
twice  in  one  day,  and  another  day  came  three  times 
out  of  his  bath  at  the  sound  of  the  bell. 

Another  story  is,  that  when  wine,  which  was  first 
invented  in  his  reign,  was  shown  to  him,  he  expressed 
great  regret,  "for,"  said  he,  "this  liquor  will  cause 
the  greatest  trouble  to  the  empire."  But  wise  and 
powerful  as  he  was,  Yu  could  not  conquer  sensuality ; 
for  in  China,  as  in  most  other  countries,  the  love  for 
Btrong  liquors  is  potent. 


38  THE   WAR   TIGER. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  INNKEEPER. ALARMING  NEWS. 

For  six  more  days  the  boys  sailed  along  this  canal 
ull  they  came  to  Hang-tcheou-Fou,  the  terrestrial 
jiaradise  of  China,  of  which,  in  conjunction  with  an- 
other great  city,  the  people  have  a  saying,  "  Heaven 
is  above,  but  Hang-tcheou  and  Foo-tcheou  are  be- 
low." As  a  combination  of  work  and  pleasure,  a 
great  manufacturing  city,  and  a  fashionable  and 
healthful  watering-place,  this  spot  has  not  its  equal 
in  the  world ;  for  as  the  iDroviuce  of  Tche-Kiang  is  the 
most  celebrated  in  the  empire  for  its  growth  of  mul- 
berry-trees and  the  finest  silk-worms,  so  is  its  capital, 
Hang-tcheou,  celebrated  for  its  looms  and  the  qual- 
ity and  quantity  of  those  rare  silks,  satins,  and  tafietas, 
which  no  less  gladdened  the  eyes  of  the  moderns 
than  they  surprised  and  delighted  the  wealthy  Ro- 
mans, who,  not  knowing  from  whence  they  came, 
believed  them  to  be  the  handiwork  of  "furthest 
lud." 

Not  alone  the  Manchester,  but  the  Bath  or  Chel- 
tenham of  China,  this  city  is  also  famous  for  its  schol- 
ars, and  as  being  the  residence  of  the  fashionables,  if 
such  a  term  may  be  used  to  a  people  who  are  pro- 
verbial for  having  kept  in  manners,  customs,  laws, 


THE   INNKEEPER.  8S 

religion,  and  dress,  and  even  ideas,  with  little  excep- 
tion, to  the  pattern  men  and  women,  fashioned  and 
shaped  by  their  early  Emperors,  Yaou  and  Yu,  some 
four  thousand  years  ago ;  for  the  latter  perhaps  Hang- 
tcheou  is  chiefly  indebted  to  its  vicinage  to  the  cele- 
brated lake  See-ho.  The  waters  are  so  clear  that  the 
smallest  pebbles  may  be  seen  shining  like  crystals 
from  the  bottom.  In  the  middle  are  two  islands 
adorned  with  temj)les  and  houses,  wherein  water 
parties,  after  taking  their  pleasure  upon  the  lake, 
resort  for  rest  and  refreshment.  Upon  piles  driven 
into  the  bed  of  the  lake  are  large  stone  walks  or 
pathways  for  pedestrians, which  stretch  from  the  banks 
to  the  islands,  with  openings  for  boats,  across  which 
are  thrown  fancifully  wrought  bridges.  The  banks 
are  studded  with  temples,  mansions,  monasteries,  for 
the  bonzes  or  priests  of  Buddah,  as  also  a  small  but 
beautilul  palace  for  the  use  of  the  Emperor,  when  he 
makes  a  tour  through  his  southern  provinces. 

Near  to  this  lake,  and  reposing  in  a  valley  beneath 
the  foot  of  a  mountain,  upon  the  summit  of  which, 
as  if  in  guard  over  the  dead  for  the  past  forty  cen- 
turies, the  huge  Lui-fung-ta,  or  tower  of  thundering 
Avinds,  is  the  great  cemetery,  or  vale  of  tombs,  a  city 
in  size,  which  is  kept  reverentially  clean,  and  strewn 
at  stated  periods  with  fresh  flowers,  over  which 
forests  of  willows  weep  for  the  departed. 

One  of  the  chief  beauties  of  this  famous  lake  I 
had  almost  forgotten  to  m.ention.  Its  sides,  where 
the  water  is  shallow,  are  covered  with  the  clustering 
and  rare  flowers,  Lien-hoa,  a  plant  so  choice  that  it  is 


40  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

fostered  iu  the  innermost  recesses  of  the  ho  ases  of  the 
great  and  wealthy.  Not  unlike  our  own  tulips,  the 
Lien-hoa  has  a  little  ball  supported  by  a  small  fila- 
ment siinilar  to  that  formed  in  lilies ;  its  color  varies, 
being  at  times  violet,  white,  or  a  mixture  of  red  and 
Avhite ;  it  emits  a  fragrant  odor  ;  the  fruit  is  as  big 
as  a  small  nut,  and  the  kernel  is  white  and  of  good 
taste.  The  physicians  esteem  it,  and  prescribe  it 
for  weak  patients.  The  leaves  are  long,  and  swim 
upon  the  water,  communicating  with  the  root  by 
long  strings.  The  dense  population,  which  has  ren- 
dered it  necessary  to  turn  every  atom  to  account,  has 
led  the  busy-bee  genius  of  the  people  to  make  every 
particle  of  this  plant  useful.  The  before-mentioned 
strings  are  used  by  the  gardeners  to  wrap  round 
their  goods,  and  the  white  and  pulj^y  root  is  eaten 
in  summer  for  its  cooling  properties. 

Although  mid-day  when  they  arrived  at  this  city, 
you  will  not  wonder  that  it  was  nearly  dark  by  the 
time  they  reached  the  gates,  when  I  tell  you  that  the 
river  was  one  vast  floating  town  of  vessels,  the 
greater  part  of  which  were  arranged  into  streets, 
crowded  with  passing  mandarin  junks  laden  with 
pleasure  parties,  and  decorated  with  japan,  gilding, 
silk  streamers,  and  that  emblem  of  rank,  the  um- 
brella ;  government  junks,  some  of  war,  and  others 
freighted  with  rice,  silks,  and  other  matters,  which 
had  been  given  by  the  different  townspeople  as  taxes 
in  lieu  of  money ;  then  numerous  junks  laden  with 
salt  and  other  commodities,  to  say  nothing  of  the 
many  thousands  of  San-jjans  or  egg-house  boat«,  m 


THE   INNKEEPER.  41 

whicli  a  vast  portion  of  the  poorer  section  of  the 
Chinese  reside,  never  being  permitted  to  come  ashore 
without  especial  permission  from  the  governor  ;  then 
again,  the  floating  islands  of  trees,  with  their  hnta 
formed  of  poles  and  matting  of  bamboo.  Indeed 
just  such  a  scene  is  a  picture  of  the  every-day  life 
presented  on  the  canals  and  rivers  of  this  country ; 
but  particularly  in  the  southern  provinces,  which 
so  swarm  with  human  beings,  that  thousands  are 
compelled  from  want  of  room  on  laud  to  take  refuge 
on  the  water,  where  they  not  only  live,  but  carry  on 
their  various  avocations. 

Notwithstanding  the  haste  of  the  boys  to  enter 
the  city,  as  they  passed  through  the  gates  the  great 
bell  above  them  began  to  sound  the  first  of  the  five 
watches  or  divisions  into  which  the  night  is  divided, 
and  the  crowds  who  thronged  the  narrow  streets  be- 
gan to  scamper  in  every  direction  to  their  homes,  for 
the  law  of  China  very  wisely  holds  "  that  the  day- 
light is  for  labor  and  the  night  for  repose."  Greatly 
fatigued,  the  young  travelers  sought  the  first  inn 
where  they  regaled  themselves  with  a  plentifid  meal, 
foolishly  forgetting  the  passing  time :  indeed,  before 
they  had  finished,  they  heard  the  sound  of  the  second 
watch,  when  the  landlord  made  his  appearance  and 
begged  of  his  honorable  guests  to  take  their  d^iar- 
ture,  much  to  the  surprise  of  Nicholas,  who  had  re- 
solved to  go  no  further  that  night.  "  Surely,"  said 
he,  "the  perfection  of  innkeepers  would  not  turn 
away  travelers  who  are  willing  to  ])iiy  for  their  enter 
tainment  and  lodging." 


4:2  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

"From  what  distart  province  can  the  honorable 
youth  have  journeyed,  that  he  knows  not  that  the 
inns  are  full  of  the  servants  and  officers  of  the  illus- 
trious Ching-Ti,  who  has  this  day  arrived,  to  fill  with 
bis  form  of  full  measure  the  governor's  sedan,  and 
judgment  seat?"  said  the  innkeeper. 

"  Truly  the  worthy  innkeeper  will  pardon  his 
younger  brother  for  observmg  that  the  name  of  the 
Mandarin  of  Hang-tcheou  is  Yang-ti,  or  the  eyeballs 
of  his  humble  guest  have  become  twisted,  for  Yaug- 
ti  is  the  name  upon  this  chop,"  replied  Chow, 
producing  a  kind  of  passport  which  had  been  given 
to  him  at  the  custom-house  before  entering  the 
city. 

"  Where  have  been  the  ears  of  my  honorable 
guest  that  he  has  not  heard  that  the  noble  Yang 
has  completed  the  measure  of  his  joys  and  sorrows 
in  this  world  ?" 

"  Surely  the  noble  governor  cannot  have  passed 
so  suddenly  to  the  yellow  stream  or  the  shadow 
kingdom  of  Yen-Van g,"  said  Chow. 

"  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  is  a  sad  history, 
for  greatly  was  the  good  Yang  loved,  not  only  in 
this  his  last  province,  but  in  all  those  over  which  he 
had  ruled,  never  having  retired  from  a  government 
without  receiving  the  boots  of  honor,"  replied  the 
innkeeper. 

It  may  be  as  well  to  explain  to  you,  that  when  the 
governor  of  a  city  removes  to  another  province,  the 
people  exhibit  their  approbation  of  his  wisdom  and 
iustice  by  paying  him  great  honor.     When  he  com- 


THE   IN]N  KEEPER.  43 

mences  his  journey  he  finds,  for  a  considerable  dis- 
tance along  the  road,  tables  covered  with  silk  placed 
at  certain  intervals,  upon  some  of  which  are  laid 
burnt  perfumes,  candlesticks,  waxlights,  meats,  pulse, 
and  fruits  ;  and  upon  others,  wine,  and  tea,  ready  for 
use.  As  soon  as  the  popular  mandarin  appears,  the 
people  fall  upon  their  knees,  bow  their  heads  and 
weep,  oifer  him  the  things  upon  the  tables,  and  pre- 
sent him  with  a  pair  of  new  boots ;  they  then  pull 
off  his  old  ones,  and  preserve  them  as  reUcs  in  a 
small  cage,  which  they  hang  over  the  gates  of  the 
city  through  which  he  passed. 

"  Will  the  worthy  innkeeper  relate  the  ill-doings 
that  could  have  brought  this  good  magistrate  to 
misfortune?"  said  Nicholas,  guessing  at  the  inn- 
keeper's meaning. 

"  Truly  it  was  no  less  than  a  fondness  for  the  reli- 
gion  of  the  Fan-Kwi." 

"  Surely  that  could  be  no  crime  under  our  good 
Emperor,  who  has  befriended  the  Christians,  even 
to  perirdtting  the  members  of  his  family  to  be- 
come followers  of  the  Lord  of  Heaven,"  said 
Nicholas. 

"  It  is  true  that  the  information  may  be  incorrect, 
but  such  has  fallen  into  thy  servant's  ears  ;  moreover 
it  is  said  that  the  great  Yang's  conduct  has  offended 
the  bonzes  at  Pekin,  who  are  all-powerful  in  the 
palace  of  the  Son  of  Heaven,  whom  they  persuaded 
to  send  the  Christian-exterminating  Lord  Ching-Ti, 
with  an  order  signed  by  the  vermilion  pencil,  to  put 
Yang  to  death." 


4:4:  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

"  Has  the  vile  deed  been  performed  ?"  said  Nicho- 
las hastily. 

"  Hush !"  said  the  host  in  a  low  tone.  "  Surely 
such  language  will  bring  a  heavy  punishment  upon 
thy  head." 

"Has  the  noble  mandarin  suffered,  O  worthy 
man?"  said  Nicholas,  whose  rising  indignation 
outweighed  his  prudence. 

"  It  has  been  wisely  said,  that  it  is  of  Uttle  use  to 
repine  at  Avhat  can't  be  recalled,"  replied  the  inn- 
keeper, adding,  "  The  soul  of  the  great  Yang  is  now 
in  search  of  a  better  habitation,  but  he  left  this 
world  with  dignity,  for  the  Son  of  Heaven,  may  he 
C07itinue  the  circle  of  succession^  remembering  his 
servant's  good  deeds,  mercifully  permitted  hjm  to 
be  his  own  executioner,  and,  moreover,  gave  him  the 
choice  either  of  the  silken  cord,  the  gold  leaf,  or  his 
own  state  necklace." 

"  Truly  if  the  great  lords  esteem  these  things  as 
favors,  thanks  be  to  Tien  that  thy  servant  is  but  a 
small  weasel  of  a  personage,"  said  Chow,  making 
some  very  remarkable  grimaces. 

"  When  the  noble  Yang  received  the  message,  ho 
called  for  the  incense  table,  burned  perfume  in  honor 
of  his  royal  master,  chose  the  silken  cord,  and  having 
held  it  high  above  his  head  in  token  of  his  wilUng- 
ness  to  obey  the  royal  will,  immediately  strangled 
himself,"  said  tbe  innkeeper,  without  noticing  Chow'a 
interruption. 

That  the  boys  did  not  shudder  at  this  recital,  may 
surprise  you  who  are  not  perhaps  aware  that  thia 


THE   INNKEEPER.  45 

is  a  common  method  of  sliowing  the  royal  gratitude 
for  past  services  in  the  middle  kingdom.  Not  only- 
are  these  three  methods  used  as  punishments,  but  as 
a  means  of  suicide,  which  in  China,  as  in  most  un- 
christianized  countries,  is  esteemed  a  meritorious 
means  of  slipping  through  a  difficulty.  The  gold 
leaf  being  taken  in  the  form  of  a  pill,  is  washed 
down  with  water,  which  is  supposed  so  to  expand 
the  leaf  and  extend  the  stomach  that  life  soon  be- 
comes extinct.  The  death  by  the  necklace  is  more 
uncommon.  There  is  a  bird  of  the  crane  kind,  on 
the  crown  of  whose  head  is  a  scarlet  tuft  of  down  or 
velvet  skin,  to  which  the  Chinese  believe  the  poison 
of  the  serpents  which  it  eats  determines.  This  crest 
is  frequently  formed  into  a  bead  which  is  concealed 
in  the  ornamental  necklaces  worn  by  the  high  officers 
of  the  empire,  for  the  express  purpose  of  sur- 
mounting worldly  difficulties,  for  let  this  venom 
but  touch  the  lip,  and  death  instantaneously  en- 
sues. 

There  is  a  legend  that  the  life  of  this  bird  extends 
to  one  thousand  years,  that  it  is  in  its  prime  at  sixty, 
when  it  can  sing  regularly  and  beautifully  eveiy  hour 
of  the  day,  but  that  it  cannot  mount  trees  till  it 
reaches  its  thousandth  year. 

When  the  innkeeper  had  finished,  the  clanging  of 
the  watchman's  bamboo  rattle  in  the  streets  re- 
minded Nicholas  of  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  and  he 
said,  "  But,  even  now,  the  worthy  innkeeper  has  not 
informed  his  younger  brothers  where  they  may  find 
a  lodging  for  the  night. 


46  THE   WAR   riGER. 

"  Thy  servant,  noble  youth,  must  have  been  born 
in  an  unfortunate  hour,  that  he  cannot  offer  the  ad- 
vantages of  his  inn,  but  the  truth  has  been  spoken, 
none  but  the  servants  and  officers  of  the  great  Ching* 
Ti  can  rest  here  to-night." 

"  Surely  taels  of  silver  are  not  so  plentiful  in  this 
city  that  all  will  reftise,"  said  Chow. 

"Truly  for  less  than  an  ounce  of  silver  two 
travelers  might  find  a  lodging  in  the  house  of  the 
bonzes." 

"  The  priests  of  Fo  are  rogues,"  said  Nicholas , 
giving  utterance  to  an  opinion  that  has  been  popular 
in  China  from  all  time. 

"  The  noble  youth  possesses  a  tongue  that  will 
place  him  in  the  cangue,  or  procure  him  a  branded 
cheek  by  this  hour  to-morrow,  if  he  rules  it  no 
better,"  said  the  innkeeper ;  but  before  the  boy 
could  reply,  the  man's  wife  ran  into  the  room,  cry- 
ing and  beating  her  breast,  and  implored  of  her  hus- 
band to  follow  her  to  the  bedside  of  their  dying 
daughter. 

Shocked  that  they  had  been  the  means  of  keeping 
the  man  from  so  holy  a  duty,  Nicholas  apologized, 
and  was  about  leaving  the  house,  when  with  an 
hysterical  laugh,  the  man  said,  "  See,  O  honorable 
youths,  this  woman  has  but  little  faith  in  the 
power  of  the  holy  bonzes,  who  have  been  offering 
sacrifices  to  Fo,  to  save  the  life  of  this  pearl  of  my 
existence." 

"  By  what  means,  O  fooHsh  man,  can  these  bonzes 
save  thy  child's  life?  Are  not  the  physicians  of 
TTnnff-tclieou  famous  for  their  skill  ?" 


THE   INNKEEPER.  47 

"  Truly  tbey  are  less  than  mice ;  thoy  could  not 
save  my  child,  and  I  have  dismissed  them  for  a 
holy  bonze,  whose  influence  over  the  god  wlio 
protects  the  lives  of  the  young,  has  made  him 
promise  that  my  pearl  shall  not  become  dissolved 
in  death." 

"  She  is  passmg  from  us  now,  O  my  husband," 
said  the  unhappy  wife. 

"It  cannot  be,  woman ;  the  god  is  but  chastising 
you  with  a  terrible  fear,  for  your  want  of  faith ;  for 
how  is  it  possible  he  can  refuse  so  trifling  a  favor  as 
the  life  of  a  young  girl,  when  I  have  daily  ofiered 
sacrifices  of  animals,  and  money,  and  burned  incense 
at  his  altar  ?" 

Shocked  at  the  man's  superstitious  belief  in  the 
power  of  Fo,  and  his  brother  idols,  Nicholas  made 
one  other  effort  to  shake  it ;  findmg,  however,  that 
it  was  useless,  he  paid  the  bill,  purchased  a  lan- 
tern for  himself  and  another  for  Chow,  and  they 
went  on  their  way  to  the  Buddhist  monastery,  the 
only  house  wherein  he  could  find  shelter  for  tliat 
night. 


48  THE   WAR  TIGER. 


CHAPTER  V. 

ADVENTUEK     IK     A     BUDDHIST     MONASTERY.— ^CHOw's 
ENCOUNTER   WITH   A   BONZE. 

To  Londoners  who  find  it  an  easy  matter  to  pass, 
at  any  time  of  the  night,  from  one  end  of  the  metrop- 
olis to  the  other,  it  may  appear  that  Nicholas  and 
Chow  had  no  very  difficult  task  before  them.  Such 
however,  was  not  the  case,  for  in  the  first  place,  in- 
stead of  open  thoroughfares,  the  great  streets  of  the 
cities  of  China  are  barricaded  at  the  ends  with  chains, 
and  the  smaller  ones  with  wicket-gates,  at  each  of 
which  is  placed  a  watchman,  whose  business  it  is  to 
question  every  pedestrian,  and  through  the  night  to 
keep  clanging  a  piece  of  hard  wood  against  a  hollow 
bamboo  cane,  for  the  purpose  of  showing  his  watch- 
fulness. 

As  the  boys,  by  aid  of  their  lanterns  picked  their 
way  through  the  streets,  they  found  them  deserted  ; 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  stragglers,  each  of  whom 
carried  a  lantern,  upon  which  was  ostentatiously  em- 
blazoned his  name  and  rank.  Imagine  aU  the  gas 
lamps  in  London  extinguished,  and  their  places  sup- 
plied by  a  few  dancing  will-o'-the-wisp  kind  of  lan- 
terns, and  you  will  have  a  tolerable  notion  of  the 
appearance  of  the  great  cities  of  China  by  night. 
Dismal,  truly,  but  perhaps  not  more  so  than  were  the 


A   BUDDHIST   MONASTERY.  49 

Streets  of  London  not  many  years  since,  when  they 
were  lighted  by  flickering  oil  lamps.  Again,  as  were 
those  of  London  at  the  very  period  when  these  ad- 
ventures happened,  the  streets  are  so  narrow  tliat  a 
good-sized  carriage  or  wagon  cannot  pass  through 
without  danger  to  the  people,  but  then  the  narrow 
ncss  of  the  streets  was  less  pardonable  in  Londoners 
of  that  age,  than  in  the  Chinese  of  the  present,  whose 
great  people  ride  in  sedan-chairs,  and  Avhose  little 
people  walk,  and  convey  their  goods  to  and  fro  in 
narrow  carts,  Uke  barrows;  with  one  centre  wheel. 
The  Celestials  are  at  least  consistent  in  fitting  their 
vehicles  to  their  streets,  which  is  more  than  could  be 
said  of  old  London,  with  its  gutter  streets  and  heavy 
lumbering  coaches,  types  of  which  may  be  seen  every 
day  in  the  London  of  the  present  time. 

The  street  in  which  the  inn  was  situated  was  one 
of  the  principal,  and,  therefore,  of  great  length,  and 
along  the  pavement,  which  was  in  the  middle  of  the 
road,  the  boys  trudged  onward,  passing  every  now 
and  then  beneath  one  of  the  numerous  Pai-ho,  or 
arches,  which  are  erected  to  the  memory  of  good 
magistrates  and  virtuous  women,  till  they  came  to  a 
lattice-gate  which  led  into  a  smaller  street,  when 
their  progress  was  arrested,  for  the  watchman  was 
not  at  his  post.  They  waited  for  some  time,  till 
becoming  impatient.  Chow  kicked  the  gate,  when 
there  arose  such  a  queer  hissing  noise,  that  the  boy 
fell  upon  his  face,  exclaiming,  "  My  master,  my  mas- 
ter, the  demons  of  Yen- Vang  have  swallowed  the 
watchman,  and  are  guarding  the  gate  in  his  stead." 
4 


50  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

"Thou  art  a  foolish  coward,"  said  Nicholas,  who 
clambered  up  the  gate,  and  after  looking  through  the 
wicket  for  a  minute  let  go  his  hold  and  laughed  im- 
moderately. "  O  Chow,  Chow,  thou  idiot !  not  to  know 
a  demon  from  one  of  thine  own  kind  ;  surely  these 
demons  are  nothing  but  geese ;"  and  as  the  watch- 
man opened  the  wicket  Chow  saw  that  the  noise 
which  had  alarmed  him  had  been  caused  by  a  coujile 
of  those  birds,  which  the  watchman  had  trained  to 
cackle  and  hiss  at  the  shghtest  noise,  so  that  he 
might  take  a  comfortable  nap,  with  the  certainty  of 
being  aroused  when  wanted  by  the  hissing. 

"  Truly  they  must  be  barbarian  geese,  for  I  should 
have  understood  them  had  they  cackled  in  Chinese," 
said  Chow. 

To  get  the  gate  open  was  one  thing,  to  pass 
through  another,  for  perceiving  neither  name  nor 
rank  upon  the  lanterns,  the  watchman  determined  to 
detain  the  boys  as  suspicious  characters,  and  for  that 
purpose  began  to  clang  upon  his  bamboo  for  assis- 
tance, when  a  personage  came  up  to  the  wicket,  and 
both  the  watchman  and  Chow  bent  their  heads  res- 
pectfully. From  the  yellow  robe,  the  string  of  beads 
around  his  neck,  and  his  shaven  head,  Nicholas  saw 
that  he  was  a  bonze,  or  priest  of  Fo.  As  this  rever- 
end gentleman  came  through  the  gate  he  ran  his  fin- 
gers up  and  down  the  beads,  and  muttered,  "  O  JMi 
to-fo,"  and  so  wotild  have  passed,  but  for  Chow,  who 
said,  "  Will  the  man  of  prayer  pardon  an  insignifi- 
cant mouse  for  interrupting  his  holy  meditations  ?" 

"  The  dogs  are  vagabonds,  perhaps  robbers,  who 


A  BUDDHIST   MONASTERY.  51 

have  no  name,  surname,  or  profession  on  their  Ian 
terns,  O  holy  bonze,"  said  the  polite  watchman. 

"  What  would  the  nameless  night  prowlers  with 
the  priest  of  Buddha  ?"  said  the  bonze. 

"Truly  notliing  but  a  guide  to  the  monastery, 
where  they  seek  a  lodging  for  which  they  pray  of 
the  holy  father  to  accept  alms." 

At  the  word  alms  the  eyes  of  the  bonze  sparkled 
with  delight,  and  having  lifted  his  lantern  so  as  to 
get  a  fuU  view  of  Nicholas,  he  said  to  the  watchman, 
"  Thou  rascal !  thy  dog's  head  hath  less  brains  than 
these  geese,  and  thine  eyeballs  are  of  lead,  or  thou 
wouldst  have  seen  that  so  well-looking  a  youth 
must  be  of  honorable  descent ;  moreover,  where  was 
thy  charity,  that  thou  wouldst  not  aid  a  traveler  ?" 

"  Surely  the  man  would  be  wanting  in  sense  who 
should  suppose  that  he  had  the  wisdom  and  divining 
power  of  a  holy  bonze,"  replied  the  trembling  guar- 
dian of  the  nio^ht. 

Not  deigning,  however  to  notice  this  obsexwation, 
the  bonze  conducted  the  boys  along  several  streets, 
till  they  reached  a  building  surrounded  by  a  higi 
wall,  through  which,  by  means  of  a  small  gate,  they 
passed  to  an  avenue  of  magnificent  trees,  paved  with 
marble,  and  which  led  to  a  large  gateway,  guarded 
upon  each  side  by  a  very  ugly  stone  god.  Passing 
tli  rough  the  gateway,  they  entered  a  small  room 
lighted  from  the  centre  by  one  large  lantern,  deco- 
rated with  portraits  of  the  god  Fo,  in  every  variety 
of  chaiacter.  This  god,  as  you  may  probably  know, 
is  represented    by   almost    every   kind   of   aixunal, 


52  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

biped  and  quadruped,  into  which  during  the  lapse 
of  centuries  his  soul  is  supposed  to  have  passed. 
Around  this  room,  which  was  for  every  day  use, 
were  small  idols  of  gUt  copper,  with  ghos-sticks 
burning  before  them ;  on  the  table,  iu  the  centre  of 
the  room,  stood  a  time  measure,  that  must  remind 
you  of  the  period  of  our  own  King  Alfred.  It  ia 
termed  the  hourly  incense-stick,  and  is  notched  at 
equal  distances,  and  as  from  notch  to  notch  the  stick 
takes  exactly  one  hour  to  burn,  it  accurately  marks 
the  passing  time. 

This  ghos-stick,  so  named  from  its  being  burned 
as  incense  in  the  ghos-houses  or  temples  of  China, 
is  compounded  of  sawdust  mixed  with  glue  and 
scent,  and  evenly  rolled  into  thin  rods  of  two  or 
three  feet  in  length ;  in  fact,  the  very  same  brown 
stick  adopted  by  smokers  in  this  country  for  its 
pleasant  perfume,  and  continuing  to  burn  till  re- 
duced to  ashes.  Having  introduced  the  boys  to 
this  room  the  bonze  withdrew,  and  shortly  after- 
ward sent  a  servant  with  blankets  and  sleeping  mats, 
upon  which  they  stretched  themselves,  not  a  little 
pleased  at  the  opj^ortunity  of  getting  a  good  sleep 
after  their  day's  fatigue. 

Long  before  morning,  however,  Nicholas  was 
suddenly  aroused  from  his  slumbers,  and  to  his 
surjsrise  saw  the  bonze  upon  the  floor,  with  Chow 
pmumeling  him  with  his  fists,  and  crying,  "I 
have  thee,  I  have  thee,  thou  slayer  of  people's 
pax'ents." 
•  Not  knowing  what  to  make  of  this  strange  scene. 


A   BUDDHIST  MONASTERY.  53 

JSTicholas  caught  Chow  by  the  arm  and  endeavored 
to  pull  him  away ;  this,  however,  served  but  to  ex- 
cite him  the  more,  for  he  pummeled  at  the  bonze 
harder  than  ever.  The  behavior  of  the  priest  was 
still  more  surprising,  for  instead  of  showing  any  in- 
dignation at  this  strange  treatment,  all  he  said  was, 
"  Harm  the  youth  not  my  son  ;  he  is  possessed  with 
a  demon ;  he  sleeps,  poor  boy,  and  mistakes  me  for 
some  terrible  enemy." 

This  explanation  Nicholas  soon  found  to  be  cor- 
rect, for  poor  Chow  had  been  battling  in  his  sleep  ; 
but  how  the  bonze  came  into  the  boy's  clutches  was 
a  mystery,  and  one  that,  worn  out  as  he  was  with 
fatigue,  he  did  not  just  then  care  about  solving,  so 
that  he  could  get  Chow  to  his  mat  again,  which  after 
considerable  trouble  he  managed,  by  telling  him  that 
he  was  an  officer  of  justice  and  would  see  that  his 
enemy  should  be  punished.  After  which  Nicholas 
threw  himself  upon  his  mat,  fell  into  a  sound  sleep, 
and  slept  till  he  was  awakened  by  the  deep  tones  of 
the  monastery  bell. 

During  the  morning  meal  he  related  the  adventure 
to  the  much-puzzled  Chow,  who  could  remember 
nothing  but  that  he  had  dreamed  that  the  slayer  of 
his  father  suddenly  entered  the  room,  and  after 
prowling  about  for  some  time,  first  searched  the  robe 
of  Nicholas,  and  then  came  to  his  bed,  when,  thuik- 
ing  he  was  going  to  kill  him,  he  attacked  him  in  self- 
defence  ;  though  how  his  enemy  should  have  become 
transformed  into  the  bonze,  who  certainly  had  no 


54  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

business  in  tlie  room,  was  a  puzzle  that  Ke  could  not 
make  out. 

The  explanation  of  the  bonze  was,  that  he  had 
entered  his  visitors'  apartment  to  see  that  they  had 
been  properly  attended  to  by  the  servant — an  ex- 
planation not  at  aU  satisfactory  to  Chow,  who  as 
soon  as  the  priest  left  the  room  said,  "  Is  my  mas- 
ter's girdle  safe?  for  these  holy  fathers  are  great 
rogues." 

Alarmed  for  the  safety  of  his  letters,  Nicholas 
examined  his  girdle ;  they  were  safe ;  when  shocked 
at  his  insinuation,  the  repentant  Chow  exclaimed, 
"  Truly,  my  master,  Chow  is  less  than  the  least  of 
little  dogs,  and  must  crave  the  good  father's 
forgiveness," — which  he  took  the  first  opportmiity 
of  doing,  by  falling  upon  all  fours  before  the 
priest  and  knocking  his  forehead  to  the  grotmd, 
till  the  latter  in  pity  lifted  the  boy  upon  his  legs 
again. 


THRASHING  THE   GODS.  55 


CHAPTER  VI. 

FHRASHING   THE   GODS. — THE  BOYS  TAKEN   PEISONKRS. 

Ajstxious  to  deliver  Ms  father's  letter  to  the  Chris- 
tian priest,  yet  fearful  of  making  inquiries  where  he 
was  to  be  found,  now  he  had  heard  of  the  governor's 
enmity  to  Christianity,  Nicholas  determined  to  make 
the  effort  alone,  and  having  thanked  the  bonze  for  his 
hospitality  and  jDresented  him  with  half  an  ounce  of 
silver,  he  was  about  proceeding  in  his  search,  when 
the  latter  solicited  hini  to  join  in  the  morning  pray- 
ers of  the  monastery ;  a  soHcitation  he  was  too  prudent 
to  refuse,  for  fear  of  awakening  the  suspicions  of  the 
bonzes,  whom  he  knew  to  be  the  main  persecutors  of 
his  religion. 

As  for  Chow,'  like  the  majority  of  his  countrymen 
he  was  of  no  religion  in  particular,  but  a  little  of 
each  of  the  sects  into  which  the  Chinese  are  divided; 
Confucian,  Buddhist,  and  Taouist ;  he,  therefore,  wil- 
hngly  followed  Nicholas,  who,  with  somethmg  lilie 
a  feeling  of  disgust,  entered  a  spacious  hall,  the 
ceiling  of  which  shone  with  gold  and  japan.  In  the 
centre  were  placed  three  colossal  representative  gods 
of  the  past,  present,  and  future — the  liuddha  who 
Is,  and  the  Buddha  who  will  be — with  a  vase  of  in- 
cense and  a  lamp  of  burnmg  tea  oU  before  each.  At 
the  sound  of  a  small  bell,  a  number  of  yellow-robed 


56  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

priests,  with  heads  shaven,  clean  and  oily  as  bladders 
of  lard,  made  their  appearance  and  commenced  the 
ceremony ;  one  rang  a  bell  violently,  while  another 
clattered  like  a  watchman  upon  a  hollow  bamboo 
cane.  This  clamor  was  for  the  purpose  of  arousing 
the  attention  of  the  gods,  which,  after  a  few  minutes, 
being  supposed  to  be  accomplished,  the  whole  society 
of  priests  knocked  their  heads  upon  the  ground  re- 
peatedly ;  and  when  tired,  they  began  to  chant  hymns 
and  create  a  fearful  din  by  playing  rough  music  upon 
much  rougher  instruments ;  after  which  they  marched 
out  of  the  hall  regularly  and  in  double  file.  Not  a 
little  pleased  at  the  conclusion  of  the  ceremony, 
Nicholas  followed,  taking  care,  however,  on  leaving 
the  building,  to  choose  an  opposite  direction  to  the 
bonzes. 

The  boys  had  not  walked  more  than  a  hundred 
yards,  when  they  came  to  the  foot  of  a  small  hillock, 
which  served  as  a  base  or  pedestal  for  a  shrine,  in 
which,  upon  a  raised  platform,  like  a  small  boy  upon 
a  tall  stool,  sat  an  ugly  httle  god  with  a  dragon's 
head,  so  glittering,  however,  with  gold  and  gaudy 
colors,  that  they  knew  it  to  be  a  private  idol  that 
some  foolish  devotee  had  decorated  at  his  own  cost, 
with  a  view  to  obtain  some  especial  service  from 
heaven.  When  wuthin  earshot  of  this  deity,  they 
observed  two  bonzes  come  from  behind  the  shrine, 
attended  by  a  servant,  who,  having  prepared  the  in- 
cense table  commenced  to  bow  thek  heads  to  the 
ground  and  mutter  their  prayers. 

Not  wishing  either  to  join  in,  or  interrupi  the 


THRASHING  THE   GODS.  57 

priests'  devotions,  the  boys  took  up  their  position  be- 
hind the  trunk  of  a  large  tree,  where  they  witnessed 
the  following  scene : — 

Scarcely  had  the  bonzes  commenced  their  head 
knockings  when  a  mob  of  the  lower  class  of  people, 
with  sticks  and  hammers  in  their  hands,  came 
clamoring  toward  the  shrine.  They  were  led  by  a 
man,  who  had  no  sooner  reached  the  astute  and 
kneeling  priests,  than  with  one  kick  he  sent  them 
rolling  over  each  other,  saymg  at  the  same  time, 
"  Get  thee  hence,  thou  rogues  of  bonzes,  and  let  us 
deal  with  this  villainous  god."  The  bonzes,  seeing 
so  many  persons,  arose  and  scampered  off  to  their 
monastery  for  help,  when  the  leader^  whom  Nicho- 
las now  recognized  as  his  friend,  the  innkeeper, 
approached  the  idol,  saying,  "  How  now,  thou  dog 
of  a  spirit !  Have  I  not  fed  thee,  lodged  thee  hand- 
somely, and  offered  incense  each  day  at  the  cost  of 
half  my  hard  earnings,  that  thou  shouldst  save  tho 
life  of  my  daughter,  who,  notwithstanding,  has  been 
carried  to  the  yellow  stream  ?  Let  us  punish  him, 
my  friends,  that  he  may  deceive  no  other  father." 
As  he  uttered  the  last  words,  he  struck  off  the  arm 
of  the  god  with  such  force  that  it  struck  a  bonze, 
who  was  at  that  moment  coming  toward  the  idol  in 
advance  of  some  twenty  of  his  brethren ;  at  which 
the  people  cried,  "  This  is  indeed  a  just  retribution 
upon  the  vile  bonze." 

"Do  not  the  people  fear  the  vengeance  of  the 
gods,  that  they  behave  thus?"  said  the  stricken 
priest,  calmly,  and  dissembling  his  rage. 


58  THE   WAR   TIGER. 

"  Truly  the  gods  may  render  us  unfoi'tunate,"  said 
one  cowardly  fellow,  and  the  superstitious  crowd 
hesitated.  Perceiving  his  advantage,  the  bonze  fol- 
lowed it  up.  "  Surely,"  said  he,  "  the  iDeojjle  are 
not  unreasonable,  like  this  man,  who  is  ungrateful  to 
the  gods  for  taking  his  daughter,  as  if,  forsooth,  his 
child  were  better  than  the  children  of  his  ceigh- 
bors." 

"  This  is  true.  Why  should  one  complain  that  he 
is  not  more  fortunate  than  the  rest  ?"  said  the 
cowardly  voice. 

"  As  for  the  worthy  Sing,  the  gods  may  pardon 
him,  in  consideration  of  his  great  grief;  but  then 
he  must  desist  from  this  profanity,"  said  the 
bonze. 

"  The  bonze  is  generous,  and  his  words  are  reason- 
able," said  another. 

"  Are  my  friends  imjust  that  they  will  not  listen 
to  an  injured  man,  whose  injuries  may  be  their  own 
to-morrow  ?"  said  the  innkeeper. 

"  This  is  reasonable  also ;  let  us  hear  Sing,"  cried 
several  voices. 

At  that  moment,  Nicholas,  who  feared  lest  the 
artful  bonzes  should  get  the  better  of  the  dispute, 
came  forward,  and  said,  "Why  should  the  worthy 
Sing  waste  words?  surely  he  has  been  sufficiently 
injured;  the  measure  of  his  grief  is  full,  for  he  will 
leave  no  descendant  to  fulfil  the  necessary  offices  at 
his  tomb." 

"  The  words  of  the  honorable  youth  are  wise,'' 
said    the    fickle    ci'owd;    and   Nicholas    continued, 


THRASHING  THE   GODS.  59 

"That  there  has  been  robbery,  there  can  be  no 
doubt,  my  friends;  for,  notwithstanding  the  god 
promised  to  cure  the  daughter  of  this  worthy  man, 
she  has  passed  to  the  yellow  stream,  and,  therefore, 
he  -S  unworthy  of  his  quality  of  godship,  and  should 
be  punished;  therefore,  in  justice  to  the  worthy 
Sing,  let  this  temple  be  pulled  down,  and  the  stupid 
idol  pay  the  penalty  in  his  own  person," 

To  which  the  priest  endeavored  to  reply,  but  the 
people  would  not  hsten  to  him,  and  acting  upon  the 
suggestion  of  Nicholas,  threw  a  cord  roimd  the  god's 
neck,  pulled  him  to  the  ground,  and  belabored  him 
with  sticks  and  hammers. 

During  the  proceeding  the  priests,  who  were  too 
wise  to  lose  their  tempers,  addressed  a  knot  of 
lookers-on,  vehemently  threatening  them  with  ter- 
rible misfortunes,  but  at  the  same  time  declaring, 
that  if  Sing  would  come  to  some  agreement,  the  god, 
who  was  of  a  short  temper,  would  do  what  was 
reasonable  on  his  part  and  prevent  future  evils.  This 
had  the  desired  effect  upon  all  but  Sing  and  some  of 
his  friends,  who  continued  to  belabor  the  idol  till  the 
converts  to  the  bonze's  opinion  drove  them  away, 
when,  becoming  broken  into  antagonistic  parties, 
they  threw  aside  their  weapons  and  fought  each 
other  with  their  fists,  tiU  a  body  of  yah-yu,  or  city 
police,  entered  upon  the  ground,  and  seizing  Sing, 
the  principal  bonze,  and  the  two  boys,  as  the  chief 
rioters,  hurried  them  off  to  the  police  tribunal. 

As  for  the  mob,  no  sooner  had  the  prisoners  been 
removed,  than  mortified  at  the  profanity  into  which 


60  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

they  had  been  hurried,  they  gathered  together  the 
fragments  of  the  deity,  stuck  them  together  as  well 
as  possible,  washed  him,  and  fell  at  his  feet,  exclaim- 
uig,  "  In  truth  we  have  been  a  little  too  hasty,  but 
then  your  godship  has  been  a  little  too  slow  in  per- 
forming your  promises,  and  thus  brought  the  beating 
upon  yourself.  But  still  it  is  a  good  saying,  that 
'what  has  been  done  can't  be  undone.'  Let  us, 
therefore,  think  no  more  of  this  matter,  and  if  you 
will  forget  what  has  passed  we  will  repair  thy  temple 
and  gild  you  over  again." 

For  fear  that  my  reader  may  think  this  episode 
exaggerated,  I  must  assure  him  that  similar  scenes 
are  even  now  of  frequent  occurrence — and  why  not  ? 
For  although  idolaters,  the  Chinese  are  neither  en- 
thusiasts nor  fanatics.  With  the  greater  part,  the 
worship  of  idols  is  an  inheritance  which  it  would  be 
impossible  to  reject; — it  is  custom  they  worship. 
Moreover,  like  ourselves,  they  are  a  business-like 
people,  and  will  have  money's  worth  for  money; 
therefore,  if  they  pay  an  idol  for  a  certain  quantity 
of  work,  and  he  does  not  complete  his  contract,  they 
give  him  a  sound  thrashing — and  the  principle  ia  not 
a  bad  one  after  all. 


TREACHERY  OF  THE  BONZES.       6i 


CHAPTER  Vn. 

TEEACHERT   OF  THE  BONZES. — ^NICHOLAS   SElfT 
TO   PKISON  AS   A  TKAITOE. 

"With  the  proverbial  rudeness  of  most  small  offi- 
cials, the  yah-yu  threw  cords  around  the  arms  of  the 
prisoners  and  dragged  them  along  the  streets,  amid 
the  jeers  and  laughter  of  the  populace,  who,  enjoyed 
the  prospect  of  the  probahle  pimishment  of  so  serious 
an  oflence  as  rioting,  namely,  being  led  about  the 
streets  with  the  cangue,  a  wooden  collar  as  large  as 
a  small  table,  around  their  necks ;  but  in  this  the 
Chinese  crowd  was  not  worse  than  others  in  Europe, 
for,  with  shame  be  it  said,  a  tendency  to  indulge  in 
the  minor  miseries  of  their  fellows  is  the  cruel  pro- 
pensity of  most  masses. 

When  they  came  to  the  tribunal  they  found  it 
crowded  with  people,  who  were  standing  upon 
either  side  of  the  haU,  so  as  to  form  a  lane  by 
which  to  approach  the  mandarin,  who  was  sitting 
at  a  table,  ujDon  which  stood  a  box  of  bamboo 
reeds,  tipped  with  yellow;  upon  his  left  side  sat 
the  secretary,  and  upon  his  right  stood  three  men 
witn  ominous-looking  bamboo  canes  in  their  hands, 
The  first  case  heard  was  that  of  a  youth  whose  pro- 
pensity for  gaming  had-  led  him  to  squander  a  large 


62  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

eum  of  money  lent  to  bim  by  his  father  for  the  pur- 
pose of  commencing  business.  I  must  tell  you 
hoAvever,  that  before  bringing  the  boy  before  a  tribunal, 
the  father  had  fruitlessly  ti'ied  every  method  of  kmd- 
ness.  Having  listened  patiently,  the  mandarin  severly 
reprimanded  the  youth,  then  taking  fifty  of  the  yellow- 
tipped  reeds  threw  them  on  the  ground  as  a  signal 
for  the  men  with  canes  to  give  him  fifty  blows.  Be- 
fore, however,  they  could  obey,  his  mother,  with 
tears  in  her  eyes,  threw  herself  at  the  mandarin's 
feet,  begging  of  him  to  pardon  her  son.  Being  a 
kind-hearted  man  the  magistrate  complied,  but  or- 
dering to  be  brought  to  him  a  volume  written  by  one 
of  the  emperors  for  the  instruction  of  his  subjects, 
and  opening  it  at  a  particular  part,  said, "  Promise  O 
youth,  to  renounce  gambling  and  to  listen  to  your 
father's  directions,  and  I  will  pardon  you  this  time ; 
but  that  you  may  not  forget,  go  and  kneel  in  the 
gallery  of  the  hall  of  audience  and  learn  by  heart  this 
chapter  on  filial  obedience,  which  till  you  repeat  and 
solemnly  promise  to  observe  obedience,  you  shall 
not  depart  from  this  tribunal." 

The  youth  being  deUghted  at  this  lenient  sentence 
bowed  his  forehead  to  the  earth,  and,  moreover,  I 
must  tell  you,  kept  his  promise,  although  he  was 
three  days  learning  the  task.  Such  being  the  spirit 
of  the  laws,  and  the  paternal  mildness  with  which 
they  are  for  the  most  part  carried  out,  excepting 
only  in  cases  of  high  treason,  we  need  not  won- 
der that  this  great  population  has  submitted  to 
their  rule  for  four  thousand  years. 


TKEA.OHERY    OF   THE   BONZES.  63 

When  tliis  case  was  over  the  chief  of  the  yah-ju 
bowed  to  the  ground  and  charged  his  prisoners  gen- 
erally with  rioting  to  the  disturbance  of  the  pubUc 
peace. 

"  "What  has  the  priest  of  Fo  to  say  to  this  disgrace- 
ful charge  ?  let  hiin  open  his  lips,"  said  the  mandarin. 
"Whereupon  the  bonze  fell  upon  his  knees  and  accus- 
ed the  innkeeper  of  attacking  the  idol  and  leading  a 
mob  to  destroy  the  monastery. 

"  What  sayest  the  innkeeper  ?  for  surely  the  offence 
is  serious,"  said  the  mandarin. 

Then,  bowing  to  the  ground,  the  innkeeper  related 
the  morning's  adventure,  stating  that  but  for  the 
assistance  of  Nicholas  and  Chow,  the  bonze  would 
have  killed  him,  adding,  "  Truly,  O  jewel  of  justice, 
thy  mean  servant  demands  the  punishment  of  this 
rascal  bonze  and  his  trumpery  god,  who,  notwith- 
standing the  sums  paid  to  them,  have  permitted  his 
only  child  to  be  carried  from  this  life." 

Having  listened  patiently  to  both  sides,  the  man- 
darin said,  "  It  is  true  that  two  ofi'ences  have  been 
committed,  the  one  against  the  public  peace,  and  the 
other  against  a  private  person.  The  former,  being 
the  most  heinous,  must  be  first  dealt  with;  and, 
as  without  the  bonze  and  the  innkeeper,  there  could 
have  been  no  such  disturbance,  let  both  be  corrected 
with  twenty  blows.  As  for  the  two  youths,  who 
were  drawn  into  this  disturbance,  let  them  pay  half 
a  tael  each  to  some  poor  person  to  receive  ten  blows 
for  them." 

The  sentence  having  gone  forth,  the  men  with  tne 


64:  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

bamboos  caught  bold  of  the  culprits,  threw  them 
upon  the  floor,  and  they  received  a  similar  piinish- 
ment  to  that  dealt  out  by  a  schoolmaster  upon  a  re- 
fractory pupil ;  after  which,  the  delinquents,  smarting 
with  pain,  humbly  returned  thanks  for  this  benevo 
lent  and  fatherly  correction. 

"  As  for  the  second  oiFence  said  the  mandarin,  "  it 
IS  clear  that  the  bonze  is  either  a  rogue  or  no  good 
judge  of  the  powers  of  the  different  gods,  and  knew 
not  to  which  to  apply  for  this  particular  favor,  an 
ignorance  that  has  caused  the  innkeeper  to  lose  his 
goods ;  and,  in  either  case,  is  unfit  for  his  ofiice ; 
therefore,  if  he  is  found  within  the  city  walls  after 
this  night,  he  shall  be  placed  in  the  cangue  for  three 
moons.  As  for  the  god  himself,  who  is  the  principal 
party  concerned,  let  him  be  plucked  down  from  his 
seat  as  a  useless  and  malicious  deity." 

Thus  compelled,  by  custom,  to  recognize  the  foolish 
superstition  of  Fo,  although  he  no  more  believed  in 
it  than  you  do,  the  mandarin  humorously  punished 
the  bonze. 

The  wily  priest,  however,  had  not  quite  played 
out  his  game,  so,  dissembling  his  rage  at  the  result 
of  the  trial,  he  fell  upon  his  knees,  saying,  "Pardon, 
0  ever-flowing  stream  of  justice,  but  the  meanest  and 
most  insignificant  servant  of  Fo,  dares  claim  a  reward 
for  a  great  act." 

"  What  words  are  these,  thou  dog  of  a  bonze  ?' 
said  the  angry  ofiicial. 

"  If  the  eyeballs  of  thy  contemptible  servant  are 
straight  in  their  sockets,  he  has  seen  placards  bearing 


TREACHERY   OF   IIIE   BONZES.  66 

the  character  of  Vna  illustrious  tsong-tou  (viceroy) 
of  the  provinc-s,  ,y  omisiug  twenty  taels  for  any  fol- 
lower of  the  0»  fistian  priests,  whose  houses  of 
prayer  ha-',  e  boen  so  wisely  de&troyed. 

"  What  useless  words  are  these,  for  where  in  this 
city  is  such  a  dog  to  be  found,  since  they  were 
hunted  doAvn  by  the  illustrious  governor?  may  he 
live  a  thousand  years/'  replied  the  mandarin. 

"  This  was  a  terrible  surprise  to  Nicholas,  for  not 
only  did  it  convince  hi:n  that  the  persecution  of  the 
Christians  had  commenced,  but  that  his  own  mission 
had  somehow  been  discovered  by  the  priest ;  nor  was 
he  disappointed,  whtn  the  latter  said,  "  Truly,  O 
grand  canal  of  justice,  that  turbulent  youth  is  even 
now  on  a  treasonable  errand  to  the  Christian  priest, 
Adam,  who  has  so  traitorously  fled  the  city." 

"  These  are  dog's  words,  thou  rogue  of  a  bonze," 
said  the  boy. 

Not  regarding  the  interruption,  the  priest  added, 
as  he  placed  a  paper  in  the  hand  of  the  mandarin, 
"  The  dragon  vision  of  the  lord  of  justice  will  dis- 
cover to  him  that  his  servant's  words  are  pearls  of 
truth." 

Having  glanced  at  the  paper,  the  mandarin  said 
Riernly  to  Nicholas,  "Thou  art  young  to  be  con- 
cerned in  treason,  and  yet  these  characters  warn  the 
priest,  Adam,  against  the  great  Ching-Ti,  whom  the 
anonymous  writer  tells  him  is  about  to  arrive  at 
Hang-tcheou,  specially  charged  by  the  Son  of 
Heaven  to  root  out  the  Christian  priests." 

"  As  this  is  the  first  time,  O  mandarin,  that  thy 
5 


66  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

servant's  ears  drink  in  this  intollisrence  \e  must  have 
been  innocent  of  the  contents  of  that  pa  iket,"  replied 
Nicholas. 

"  The  youth  is  young ;  but,  like  the  body  of  a 
snake,  his  words  are  twirling  and  slippery.  It  is 
true,  those  characters  may  not  have  reached  his 
eyes,  but  it  is  equally  true  that  he  was  the  bearer, 
for  the  cover  is  even  now  in  his  girdle,"  said  the 
priest. 

"  Thy  servant,  O  mandarin,  cannot  deny  that  he 
bore  the  letter,  but  it  was  in  ignorance  that  it  was 
a  crime,"  said  Nicholas,  taking  the  envelope  from 
his  vest,  now  fully  convinced  that  the  bonze  had 
picked  his  girdle. 

"Although  it  is  certain  that  the  writer  is  a 
traitor,  it  is  not  equally  so  that  this  youth  is  an 
accomplice,"  said  the  mandarin,  after  examining  the 
envelojje. 

"  The  dog  is  a  Christian,  O  lord  of  justice ;  and  in 
the  name  of  the  Son  of  Heaven,  I  claim  the  twenty 
taels,"  said  the  bonze,  forgetting  the  submission  due 
to  a  magistrate,  in  his  rage  and  fear  that  Nicholas 
might  escape. 

"Thy  words  are  dirt,  thou  tm-bulent  rogue,  for 
it  is  not  clear  that  the  youth  is  a  Christian,"  said 
the  angry  mandarin,  adding  kindly  to  Nicholas, 
"Let  the  youth  deny  this  charge  and  he  shall  bo 
believed,  for  his  words  are  sti'aight  as  the  flying 
arrow." 

Here  was  a  chance,  for  it  was  evident  the  man 
darin  was  his   friend.     Still,    notwithstanding    that 


TEEACHERY  OF  THE  BONZES.       67 

imprisonment  for  life,  if  not  speedy  death,  stared 
him  in  the  face,  Nicholas  was  too  brave  to  forswear 
his  Saviom-,  and  he  replied,  "K  to  be  a  Christian, 
O  mandarin,  is  to  merit  death,  then  am  I  ready  to 
die." 

Then  the  good-natured,  but  disappointed  magis- 
trate said  sorrowfully,  "  The  youth  is  as  brave  as  he 
is  honest,  and  deserves  a  better  fate ;  yet  must  the 
commands  of  the  great  tsong-tou  be  obseiwed,  there- 
fore let  the  youth  be  conveyed  to  the  great  prison  to 
await  his  sentence.  "Without  a  word  or  the  move- 
ment of  a  muscle,  the  boy  permitted  the  attendants 
to  bind  his  arms. 

This  was  too  much  for  Chow,  who,  with  a  leap 
like  that  of  a  wounded  hare,  cried,  "  The  priest,  O 
great  lord,  is  a  midnight  thief."  But  such  a  demon- 
stration being  against  the  rules  of  decency,  the  officers 
seized  and  silenced  the  boy  by  clapping  a  gag  in  his 
mouth.  Then  the  mandarin  ordered  twenty  taels 
to  be  given  to  the  bonze,  and  the  latter  having  made 
the  customary  bow  was  about  to  depart,  when  the 
magistrate  said,  "  Now  priest,  relate  by  what  means 
that  letter  came  into  thy  possession,  for  it  is  a  maxim 
that  justice  should  be  equally  balanced." 

Then  the  bonze  related  how  he  met  the  boys,  and 
took  them  to  the  monastery,  adding  that  as  they 
were  passing  through  a  passage  the  letter  having 
fallen  from  the  youth's  girdle,  he  picked  it  up,  and 
divining  that  its  contents  were  treasonous,  retained 
the  document  for  examination. 

"  These  are  dog's  words,"  exclaimed  Chow,  from 


68  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

whose  mouth  the  gag  had  been  taken  by  the  man- 
darm's  order ;  "  the  priest  is  a  rogue  and  a  rat,  for 
he  stole  the  paper  at  night  while  my  noble  master 
slept,  and  although  for  hours  thy  servant  believed  it 
was  a  dream,  and  mistook  the  bonze  for  an  enemy, 
he  now  remembers  that  after  filching  the  letter  from 
the  girdle,  the  rogue  opened  the  envelope,  stole  the 
contents,  and  then  by  some  mysterious  means  of  his 
own  closed  it  again." 

The  bonze  being  about  to  reply,  the  mandarin  in- 
terrupted him,  saying,  "  Truly  has  it  been  said  that 
although  eggs  are  close  things,  the  chicks  will  out, 
for  the  rogue  forgot  to  explain  how  the  letter  could 
leave  the  pocket  of  its  owner  without  the  envelope. 
The  theft  is  clear,  and  it  is  but  justice  to  the  state 
that  the  thief  should  receive  fifty  blows,  and  pay 
twenty  taels  of  silver."  This  sentence  was  speedily 
executed  upon  the  roaring  coward,  whose  back  was 
etill  sore  with  the  first  beating,  and  so  he  left  the  tri- 
bunal consi<lerably  worse  off  than  he  had  come  be- 
fore it. 


CHOW    IN  PURSUIT  OF  THIEVES.  69 


CHAPTER  Vm. 

OHOW   SETS   OUT  TO   DISCOVER  SOME    THIEVES. 

It  was  with  no  little  distress  of  mind  tliat  Chow, 
who  now  loved  Nicholas  as  a  brother,  parted  with 
him  at  the  gates  of  the  prison.  He  tore  his  hair,  beat 
his  breast,  and  roared  and  capered  as  if  m  bodily  as 
well  as  mental  agony.  Never  should  he  see  his  noble 
master  again;  the  wicked  viceroy  would  kill  him. 
O  that  he  had  not  been  a  Christian,  or  so  unwise  as  to 
admit  it !  These,  and  many  other  fooUsh  things,  pass- 
ed through  his  mind,  till  he  became  wearied  and 
fatigued.  When  more  calm,  he  began  to  upbraid 
himself  with  folly  and  cowardice,  for  giving  way  to 
useless  grief  instead  of  setting  his  wits  to  work  to 
aid  him. 

Like  most  Chinese,  Chow  believed,  or  at  least  fol- 
lowed, the  mongrel  creed  of  the  country,  and  he 
proposed  to  himself  to  seek  the  aid  of  the  gods  ;  al- 
though even  his  faith  in  their  powers  had  become 
weakened  by  the  exhibition  of  the  morning;  at 
length,  however,  it  occui-red  to  him  to  seek  the  inn- 
keeper, who  being  well  to  do,  and  an  old  inhabitant 
of  Hang-tcheou,  could  if  wilhng,  give  material  assis- 
tance ;  if  not  willing,  thought  Chow,  he  must  be  the 
most  ungrateful  of  human  beings.     So  he  went  off  to 


70  THE   WAR   TIGER, 

Sing,  who  was  not  only  glad  to  see  Mm,  but  invited 
hira*to  live  at  the  inn  until  they  could  hit  upon  some 
good  scheme  to  rescue  Nicholas ;  and  so,  that  night, 
they  talked  and  talked  the  matter  over,  till,  becoming 
tired,  they  went  to  bed  to  sleep  on  it. 

The  next  raorniug  they  compared  notes  as  to  their 
sleeping  thoughts.  The  result  of  Chow's  was  to 
get  a  mob  together  to  burst  open  the  prison  gates ; 
at  which  very  wise  suggestion  Sing  laughed  loudly, 
greatly  to  the  disgust  of  Chow,  who  became  very 
angry,  as  he  flxncied  the  innkeeper  doubted  his  cour- 
age ;  but  when  Sing  explained  a  little  plan  of  his  own 
he  capered  about  jo}4iilly,  and  begged  that  they  might 
commence  immediately. 

"Let  us  first  ask  the  gods  for  a  fortunate  day," 
said  Sing. 

"  Then  will  not  the  worthy  Sing  seek  a  temple  at 
once?  "  said  Chow. 

This  being  agreed  to,  they  started  off  to  the  sub- 
urbs, where,  in  a  retired  spot,  near  the  great  lake, 
they  found  a  divining  temple. 

These  temples,  which  are  sprinkled  through  the 
country,  are  always  open  for  the  convenience  of  the 
people,  who  enter  upon  nothing  of  importance,  whe- 
ther it  be  marrying,  burying,  buying,  selling,  house- 
building, party-giving,  or  setting  out  upon  ajourneyj 
without  first  seeking  to  discover  in  the  cup  of  destiny 
a  fortunate  day  or  hour  for  the  proposed  undertaking. 

Upon  the  altar  stood  a  large  wooden  cup,  filled 
with  small  sticks,  marked  with  certain  mystic  char- 
acters, representing  both  good  and  ill  luck.     Taking 


CHOW   IN  PURSUIT   OF  THIEVES.  71 

up  this  cup,  Sing  began  to  give  it  sharp  quick  jerks, 
while  Chow,  taking  hold  of  a  book  that  was  hanging 
to  the  wall,  searched  for  marks  to  correspond  with 
those  upon  the  sticks  which  might  be  thrown  to  the 
ground  by  Sing's  jerking.  With  serious  counten- 
ances they  went  through  this  performance,  Sing  be- 
lieving that  by  a  peculiar  scientific  twist  of  his  wrist 
he  could  jerk  out  a  few  sticks  of  luck.  For  some 
time,  however,  the  sticks  were  obstinate,  and  would 
not  move  ;  then  a  sharper  jerk  and  one  jumped  out, 
then  another,  and  another,  three  in  all ;  and  Chow, 
having  examined  the  luck  spots  very  earnestly, 
groaned  with  despair,  for  neither  bore  the  required 
mark.  Then,  to  propitiate  the  god  of  wood,  paint,  and 
gold  leaf,  they  burned  incense  and  tinsel  paper,  and,  by 
way  of  reaching  the  cupidity  of  the  deity,  for  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  made  a  Chinese  believe  that  even  a  god  will 
"  do  something  for  nothing,"  they  placed  some  cop- 
per coins  upon  the  altar,  enough,  I  suppose,  to  satisfy 
his  greedy  godship  ;  for  when,  at  the  risk  of  sprain- 
ing his  wrist,  Sing  gave  the  next  jerk,  out  jumped 
two  of  the  lucky  spotted  sticks,  ^id  the  obhque  eyes 
of  Chow  began  to  smile  so  satisfactorily  that  there 
really  appeared  to  be  some  danger  of  their  meeting 
across  his  nose  and  melting  into  one  big  orb  in  the 
middle  of  his  forehead.  Holding  the  sticks  above 
his  head,  the  boy  capered  about  with  delight,  crying, 
"  Thanks  to  Tien,  the  day  will  be  fortunate,  for  the 
god  has  promised,  and  there  is  no  rogue  of  a  bonze 
present  to  persuade  him  from,  his  good  intentions." 
As  for  Sing,  he  was  no  less  pleased,  for,  notwith. 


72  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

Standing  his  previous  experience,  his  faith  was 
entire  in  the  cup  of  destiny,  as  it  was,  irdeed,  in 
the  gods. 

Chow's  delight  was  almost  as  great  as  if  hia  master 
had  been  already  rescued.  However,  as  soon  as  the 
first  ebullition  had  subsided  he  began  to  think  how 
ne  should  commence  operations,  and  so,  puzzling  his 
brains,  he  walked  by  the  side  of  Sing,  who  was  aJso 
quietly  endeavoring  to  think  out  some  grand  plan  of 
proceeding.  Thus  they  proceeded  till  they  came 
near  the  walls  of  the  city,  when  their  attention  was 
aroused  by  a  terrible  discord.  Not  a  dozen  yards 
from  them  was  a  small  house  (like  all  Chinese  habi- 
tations, one  story  high),  before  which  stood  the  wall 
of  respect,  so  called,  because  like  a  brick  curtain  it 
hides  the  domicile  from  the  gaze  of  strangers.  Near 
the  doorway  stood  an  elderly  man  with  two  pieces  of 
metal,  which  he  kept  clanging  against  each  other, 
stopping  only  at  intervals  to  fulminate  at  the  very 
compass  of  his  voice,  many  fearful  curses  and  maledic- 
tions against  thieves  who  had  plundered  his  house, 
fully  believing  that  by  the  agency  of  the  gods  these 
curses  would  reach  and  crush  the  thieves,  wherever 
they  might  be. 

"  It  is  only  old  Hoang,  the  retired  innkeeper, "  said 
Sing  cooly,  as  if  not  at  all  regretting  the  misfortunes 
of  his  successful  rival.  He  could  not,  however,  have 
possessed  any  such  paltry  feeling,  for  he  added, 
"  WUl  the  venerable  Hoang  permit  his  younger 
brother  to  assist  hun  in  discovering  these  rogues?  " 

"  The  offer  of  the  worthy  Sing  is  good  and  grateful 


CHOW  IN   PURSUIT   OF  THIEVES.  73 

to  Lis  meau  brother,  but  alas !  nothing  can  avail  old 
Hoang,  for  the  Fong-Choui  is  his  enemy,  and  will  not 
be  satisfied  till  his  house  is  destroyed,"  was  the  rejjly. 

To  explain  what  I  must  tell  you,  that  it  is  one  oi 
the  most  remarkable  and  foolish  beliefs  of  the  Celes* 
tials,  that,  apart  from  sanitary  reasons,  the  situation 
of  a  house  may  eflect  the  happiness  and  fortunes  not 
only  of  its  owner,  but  his  descendants  for  several  gen- 
erations. The  demon  who  exercises  this  baneful  in- 
fluence is  the  Fong-Choui,  or  wind  and  water.  Thus, 
if  a  neighbor  (it  had  been  Hoang' s  case)  builds  his 
house  in  a  contrary  direction  and  so  that  one  of  its 
corners  is  placed  opposite  your  own,  your  destiny  is 
fixed,  your  only  remedy  being  to  have  it  immediately 
pulled  down.  To  obtain  the  removal  of  the  house  in 
question,  Hoang  had  applied  to  the  mandarin,  but  as 
that  ofiicer  had  received  a  larger  bribe  from  the  neigh- 
bor than  he  could  afford,  the  official  recommended 
the  old  man  to  pull  down  his  own  house ;  but  as  this 
would  have  ruined  him,  he  had  had  recourse  to  the 
only  other  remedy,  which  was,  to  erect  upon  the  roof 
of  his  house  a  monster  with  a  dragon's  head  and  a 
large  forked  tongue,  so  pointed  at  the  unfortunate 
corner  that  it  would  frighten  away  the  Fong-ChouL 
That  wind  and  watery  personage,  however,  was  not 
BO  easily  frightened,  for  the  next  day  some  thieves 
entered  his  house  and  effected  a  very  clever  robbeiy. 

By  the  aid  of  a  mysterious  engine  (known,  I  sup- 
pose, only  to  the  thieves  of  China),  which  will  bum 
great  holes  in  the  thickest  wood  without  causing 
either  scent  or  flame,  the  rogues  had  entered  Hoang's 


74:  THE   WAR  TIGER, 

dwelling  in  the  night  so  quietly  that  when  the  old 
gentleman  awoke  in  the  morning  he  found  his  bed 
Avithout  curtains  or  coverlid,  and  the  room  Avithout 
furniture,  all  of  which,  besides  other  things  of  value, 
had  been  taken  from  the  house. 

"  Surely  thy  dogs  of  servants  must  have  been  ao 
complices,"  said  Chow. 

"  jSTot  so,  youth,  for  although  I  slept  deep  mto  the 
day,  when  I  arose  the  servants  were  all  in  such  a  deep 
slumber  that  I  believed  them  in  the  sleep  of  death." 

"  Surely  my  elder  brother  will  seek  the  mandarin, 
and  have  the  dogs'  heads  searched  for,"  said  Sing. 

"  Alas  !  O  worthy  Sing,  thy  unhappy  servant  is  un- 
der the  baneful  influence  of  the  Fong-Choui,  and  the 
mandarin  dares  not  interfere." 

Feeling  deeply  for  the  poor  man,  and  not  liking  the 
idea  of  the  thieves  escaping  so  easily,  Chow  asked, 
"  Has  the  worthy  and  honorable  Hoang  sought  the 
mandarin?  " 

"  It  would  be  useless  youth,  without,  indeed,  a  stran- 
ger would  interfere,  and  .j 't'^eastko  w'aarm  of  the 
Fong-Choui." 

"  With  the  will  of  the  vcEcraiblo  Hoai^',  Ills  /ounger 
brother  will  seek  the  tribunal  of  police,"  said  Chow 

Delighted  with  the  offer,  Eoang  led  ttem  through 
the  rooms  of  his  house,  which  Chow  examiaed  with 
the  talent  of  a  detective  police  officer,  and  ;ifter  pac- 
ing about  for  some  time  lie  Ptumblcd,  L^ioking  to 
see  the  cause,  he  saw  i.  was  a  flmaH  eq  lare  box. 
"See,"  he  said,  "the  n^bW'a  in  iiii£l  :  ight  have 
dropped  some  of  then-  pi  ndfir." 


ClIOW   m  PUESUIT   OF  THIEVES.  75 

*'  Surely  that  box  must  belong  to  the  villains,  for  it 
has  never  before  darkened  my  eyes,"  said  Hoang. 

"  Then  by  the  toe  of  the  Son  of  Heaven  we  have 
some  clue  to  the  way  in  which  the  robbery  was  effec- 
ted," said  Chow,  as  he  opened  the  box  and  took  out 
a  little  pyi-amid,  resembling  our  own  pastiles.  Plac- 
ing one  to  his  nose  he  said,  "  It  is  the  baneful  drug 
of  Setchuen.  Light  but  one  and  place  it  near  the 
nostrils  of  a  sleeper,  and  it  wUl  be  many  hours  before 
he  can  be  awakened.  In  this  manner,  O  venerable 
friend,  has  the  house  been  robbed, — its  inmates  were 
•kinder  the  influence  of  the  drug.  " 

"  Thy  discovery  is  great,  and  may  lead  to  the  cap- 
ture of  the  thieves.  Would  that  so  poor  a  man  could 
••eward  such  a  benafactor. " 

However,  as  time  was  an  object  to  Chow  for  the 
success  of  some  plan,  which  from  the  cunning  brio-ht- 
ness  that  flitted  through  his  eye  seemed  just  then  to 
have  crossed  his  mind,  he  stopped  the  garrulous  gra- 
titude of  the  old  gentleman  by  begging  the  box  of 
pastiles  as  his  reward.  This  being  granted,  he  took 
a  very  formal  leaAe,  promising  not  to  rest  till  he  had 
seen  the  mandarin  himself. 


76  THE   WAR   TIGER. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

•MOW  OUTWITS  A  GREAT  MANDARLN",  AND  SETS  OUT  TO 
KESCUB   HIS   MASTER. 

As  they  walked  to  the  inn  Chow  explained  to  Sing 
his  plan  for  the  rescue  of  Nicholas,  which,  after  some 
serious  consideration  and  many  words  of  advice,  the 
innkeeper  approved;  but  as  it  coidd  not  be  put  in 
operation  before  evening,  as  soon  as  they  reached  the 
mn  they  went  into  one  of  the  inner  apartments,  and 
while  they  refreshed  themselves  with  a  good  meal, 
chatted  over  the  details. 

After  they  had  completed  their  arrangements, 
Sing  led  Chow  to  an  outbuilding,  in  which  were  two 
oblong  coffins,  the  one  sealed  down,  the  other  with 
the  lid  half  off.  The  first  contained  the  body  of  Sing's 
daughter,  of  whom  he  had  been  so  fond  in  hfe  that 
in  death  he  kept  her  in  the  same  room  with  the  open 
coffin  which  had  been  presented  to  him  by  the  girl 
as  a  filial  offering. 

Such  gifts  as  this,  which  I  dare  say  you  will  think 
a  sombre  one,  are  by  no  means  more  rare  among  the 
Chinese  than  the  preservation  in  their  own  houses  of 
the  bodies  of  those  they  have  loved.  And  just  above 
an  altar  upon  which  incense  was  bm-ning,  hung  a 
portrait  of  the  dead  girl,  before  which  silently  and 


CHOW   RESCUES   HIS   MASIER.  77 

with  cheeks  damped  with  tears  of  memory,  Sing 
threw  himself  reverentially,  and  prayed  fervently  for 
the  other  world  happiness  of  his  child.  Having,  with 
as  much  real  sympathy  as  mere  com-tesy,  joined  in  the 
ceremony  for  a  short  time,  Chow  arose,  and  left  the 
bereaved  parent  throwing  cuttings  of  silver  paper  up- 
on the  burning  dish,  in  the  belief  that  in  the  next  world 
it  would  change  into  real  money  for  his  daughter's 
use. 

As  when  Chow  reached  the  police  tribunal  he 
found  it  closed  for  the  day,  he  clattered  upon  a  large 
gong  or  kettle  drum,  affixed  to  the  door,  a  piece  oi 
great  daring  on  his  part ;  for  if  his  business  did  not 
strike  the  mandarin  as  being  of  the  greatest  impor- 
tance, he  might  make  sure  of  some  fifty  blows  for  his 
impudence,  for  the  pubUc  officers  in  China  are  quite 
as  averse  to  doing  too  much  for  the  pubUc  money 
as  many  that  I  could  name  of  our  own. 

The  door  was  opened  and  the  boy  was  shown  into 
the  hall  of  audience,  where  he  had  not  long  to  wait 
before  the  mandarin  and  four  bamboo  sticks  in  waiting 
made  their  appearance.  "  How,  dog !  Why  this  clat- 
ter at  our  gates  when  the  tribunal  is  closed  ?"  asked 
the  surly  grandee. 

■  "  Will  the  magnificent  fountain  of  justice  give  his 
unworthy  servant  a  private  hearing  ?"  said  tne  bold 
boy,  glaucing  significantly  at  the  bamboo  sticks  in 
waiting. 

"  Let  the  fellow's  mouth  be  opened  with  ten  blows 
for  his  impudence,"  said  the  polite  magistrate ;  but  as 
the  men  were  about  to  obey,  Chow  thrust  his  hand 


78  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

into  his  robe,  and  pulling  out  a  letter  threw  it  into  the 
great  man's  lap,  a  piece  of  effrontery  so  beyond  all 
precedent  that  the  bamboo  sticks"  'n  waiting  stood 
aghast  and  ready  at  a  glance  from  Jie  masatLfcui-^  to  im- 
molate the  profane  boy.  The  n'J^strate,  howcrer, 
no  sooner  opened  the  paper  thai  in  tremuloiis  tones 
he  exclaimed,  "  Leave  us  alone,  tMs  fellow  has  iBTitters 
of  private  importance  to  comm'micate." 

This  order  having  been  obeyed,  Chow  broke 
through  the  rules  of  decency  asid  etiquette  bj'  speak- 
ing before  he  was  spoken  /9,  "A  crime  has  been 
committed  within  thy  district,,  O  mandarin,  yet  justice 
sleeps.  Surely  this  is  not  according  to  l^ie  sacred 
books,"  said  he. 

"  What  dog's  words  a  :3  these?  of  x/hat  crime 
speaks  the  youth  ?"  said  t'i3-magistrate  irildly. 

"  According  to  the  sacfed  books,  O  m  mdarin,  it  is 
the  magistrate's  duty  to  discover  and  Dunish  crime 
within  his  district.  Ye%  not  withstand*  ng  the  house 
of  the  retired  innkeepe  .•  Hoang  is  in  e  well-guarded 
quarter  of  the  city,  it  has  been  broken  into  and  its 
furniture  and  valuables  stolen;  moreover  what  is 
more  surprising  in  sc  populous  a  difiXict,  the  thieves 
have  escaped." 

"What  words  fJF9  these?*'  Sf/d  the  mandarin 
again,  being  in  &  it  80  faOuWed  that  he  knew  not 
what  to  say. 

"  Truly,  it  is  a  shrewd  maxiw,  *  that  large  fowls 
will  not  eat  small  grain,'  yet,  the  largest  may  be 
choked  if  too  greedy,  for  there  are  stiU  larger  birds 
to  swallow  them ;  in  turn  even  thou  mayst  be  stripped 


CHOW    RESCUES   HIS    MASTER.  79 

of  thy  rank  and  offices,  if  not  strangled,"  said  Chow, 
adding,  "  Would  the  lord  of  justice  wish  straighter 
words"?" 

The  words  proved  straight  enough  to  go  direct  to 
the  mark,  for  the  mandarin  fell  upon  his  knees  and 
begged  Chow  to  accept  half  his  fortune,  and  although 
it  would  be  letting  his  rogue  off  cheaply  enough,  the 
rescue  of  Nicholas  was  his  object,  and  he  promised 
to  forego  using  his  knowledge  of  the  great  man's 
delinquency,  providing  that  he  would  give  him  an 
order  under  the  official  seal  that  would  admit  him  to 
his  master's  prison.  Rejoiced  to  purchase  his  safety 
BO  easily,  the  mandarin  not  only  gave  the  order,  but 
also  promised  to  see  that  Hoang's  property  was  res- 
tored to  him  within  a  few  days.  After  this  Chow 
gave  a  paper  to  the  magistrate,  and  left  the  tribunal 
well  satisfied  with  the  result  of  his  visit. 

Now,  as  I  dare  say  you  are  anxious  to  know  how 
it  came  about  that  so  poor  a  boy  could  have  such 
power  over  so  great  a  personage,  I  will  tell  you,  and 
you  will  obtain  some  little  knowledge  how  public 
affairs  are  managed  m  China,  and  moreover,  learn  that 
dishonesty  may  sometimes  place  the  greatest  official 
beneath  the  thumb  of  the  smallest  of  persons,  as 
indeed  it  happened  in  this  case. 

When  Chow  was  chattering  over  his  plans  with 
the  innkeej^er  he  examined  the  box  of  pastiles,  and 
on  taking  them  out,  discovered  a  paper  at  the  bottom, 
evidently  placed  there  for  security,  as  the  thieves 
could  not  have  dreamt  of  leaving  their  most  valuable 
implements  behind.    That  paper  was  an  order  for  four 


80  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

men,  whose  names  were  mentioned,  to  pass  to  the 
boats  on  the  canal,  with  any  quantity  of  goods,  with- 
out questioning,  and  was  signed  with  the  character 
of  the  mandarin,  which  accounted  for  the  thieves  get- 
ting off  with  so  many  things,  but  it  also  proved  that 
the  mandarin  was  in  connivance  with  them,  and  was 
in  the  habit  of  granting  these  passes  to  robbers  in  re- 
turn for  a  large  bribe.  Now,  as  Chow  could  write 
very  well,  he  immediately  composed  a  letter  to  the 
mandarin,  telling  him  the  whole  transaction,  and, 
moreover,  that  the  thieves  were  weU  known  to  a 
friend  of  his,  who,  if  he  did  not  return  by  a  certain 
time  that  evening,  would  disclose  the  whole  matter 
to  the  viceroy ;  therefore  it  was  not  to  be  wondered 
that  the  great  man  trembled  and  implored  of  Chow 
to  accept  half  his  fortune,  for  had  it  been  brought 
before  the  viceroy  he  Avould,  as  Chow  more  than 
hinted,  in  all  probability  have  been  strangled. 


!! 


ESCAPE   OF   MCnOLAS.  81 


CHAPTER  X. 

ESCAPE   OF  NICHOLAS   FROM   PRISON. 

Having,  at  the  same  time,  secm-ed  an  order  for 
admittance  to  Nicholas  and  the  restitution  of  old 
Hoang's  property,  Chow  went  in  search  of  a  shop, 
where  he  purchased  a  rope  of  silk,  and  returned  to 
the  prison,  which  was  next  to  the  tribunal. 

At  that  time  far  in  advance,  and  even  now  not 
much  worse  than  our  own,  the  prisons  of  China  are 
large  and  spacious,  and  although  some  of  the  most 
criminal  of  the  inmates  are  loaded  with  chains,  the 
greater  number  are  permitted  to  take  exercise  and  con- 
verse with  each  other  in  an  open  court  during  the  day. 
Their  health  is  cared  for, — if  any  are  ill  a  physician  at- 
tends them,  and  when  a  death  takes  place  a  rej)ort  is 
sent  to  the  Emperor,  who  issues  orders  for  an  examina- 
tion, something  like  our  inquests,  into  the  cause,  when 
should  it  appear  that  any  of  the  officers  are  at  fault,  they 
are  immediately  degraded  and  punished.  When  a 
j)risoner  dies  the  body  is  not  permitted  to  pass  through 
the  ordinary  doorway,  but  through  an  opening  reserv- 
ed for  the  purpose.  It  is  seldom,  however,  that 
deaths  occur  in  these  places,  for  should  a  person,  es- 
pecially above  the  lowest  rank  in  hfe,  be  in  danger, 
he  or  his  friends  pray  that  he  may  be  taken  without 
the  walls  to  expire ;  indeed,  so  infamous  is  it  consid- 
6 


82  THE    WAR   TIGER, 

ered  for  a  cor2")se  to  be  taken  through  this  dead 
oiieniug,  that  "  May  he  be  dragged  through  the  pris- 
on hole"  is  the  greatest  expression  of  evil  a  person 
can  wish  his  enemy. 

The  prison  in  which  Nicholas  was  confined  was  a 
large  building,  with  its  front  to  the  street  and  its 
back  to  the  canal.  There  were  three  courts,  each 
having  treble  gates,  well  guarded  by  armed  sentries. 
Chow  found  no  difficulty  in  passing  the  first  two 
gates,  but  the  third  was  under  the  charge  of  the  chief 
gaoler,  who  not  only  made  him  show  the  mandarin's 
order,  but  ordered  two  soldiers  to  accompany  the  boy 
to  his  master's  cell,  which  was  situated  at  the  top  of 
one  of  the  four  corners  or  towers,  and  overlooking 
the  canal. 

The  armed  men  he  met  at  every  turn,  and  the  dis- 
mal-looking strength  of  the  halls,  courts,  doors,  and 
staircases  through  which  he  passed,  made  Chow 
feel  very  wretched,  for  not  an  atom  of  a  chance  could 
he  see  for  a  prisoner  to  escape.  However  no  sooner 
did  he  again  get  sight  of  Nicholas  than  all  difficulties 
vanished,  his  countenance  brightened,  and  the  affi^c- 
tionate  fellow  fell  at  his  feet  and  wept  with  joy. 

"  How  is  this  ?  surely  thou  art  not  a  Christian,  my 
poor  friend,  that  they  should  bring  thee  here  ?"  said 
Nicholas  sorrowfully. 

"  Truly  both  servant  and  master  are  fortunate,  for 
the  mandarin  has  jDcrmitted  them  to  keep  each  other 
company." 

For  some  minutes  Chow  squatted  upon  the  floor 
with  his  head  bent  to  the  ground,  aj^parently  in  grief 


ESCAPE   OF  NICHOLAS.  83 

at  his  master's  position.  Really,  he  had  not  calcula- 
lated  upon  the  presence  of  the  two  gaolers  ;  it  was 
an  awk  ward  dilemma,  still  he  was  not  one  to  stick  at 
a  difficulty,  and  so  he  began  to  think.  His  were  not 
pleasant  thoughts,  for  it  was  just  possible  that  the 
mandai'in  on  recovering  from  his  fright  might  trem- 
ble at  the  probable  consequences  of  permitting  the  es- 
cape of  Nicholas,  and  to  make  his  own  peace  confess 
the  whole  afiair  to  the  Christian-hating  viceroy. 

Having  finished  cogitating.  Chow  commenced  a 
lively  conversation  with  Nicholas  about  any  thing 
and  every  thing  but  what  was  most  on  his  mind ; 
then  he  endeavored  to  chat  with  the  surly  gaolers ; 
the  attempt,  however,  proved  a  failure,  till  he  brought 
forth  a  porcelain  bottle  filled  with  rice  spirit.  When 
the  men  grew  better  tempered,  Chow  said,  "  Is  there 
any  law  that  will  prevent  the  honorable  guard  from 
bestowing  upon  his  servants  some  hot  tea,  for  surely 
it  will  refresh  them  ?"  Without  making  any  reply, 
one  of  the  gaolers  opened  the  door  and  called  aloud 
for  the  beverage. 

Some  minutes  after  swallowing  the  tea,  Chow  rolled 
over  upon  the  floor,  and  howled  Uke  a  dog ;  which 
extraordinary  proceeding  so  alarmed  Nicholas  and 
the  men,  that  one  of  the  latter,  throwing  down  his 
weapon,  fell  upon  his  knees  and  began  to  rub  the 
sufferer's  stomach.  "  Will  the  ungrateful  villains  let 
me  die  the  dog's  death  for  the  want  of  a  cup  of 
water  ?"  Surprised  as  they  were  at  such  a  remedy, 
the  frightened  men  provided  the  water,  but  at  the 
same  time  pointed  to  the  porcelain  flask. 


84  THE   WAK  TIGER. 

For  the  hint  the  patient  thanked  them,  but  he 
knew  it  would  be  of  no  use  without  hot  water. 
Would  the  honorable  gaolers  get  some  ? 

That  was  another  atFair,  for  to  ask  for  hot  water 

would  be  to  proclaim  that  rice  spirit  was  being  drunk 

in  the  prison,  when  gaolers  as  well  as  prisoners  would 

be  bambooed. 

Then,  having  coaxed  and  importuned  for  some  time 

fruitlessly,  Chow   held  his  hand  upon  his  stomach, 

and  alarmed  Nicholas  with  performing  a  long  series 

of  tragic-comic  grimaces  and  contortions,  when  seeing 

the  men  begin  to  tremble  at  the  heavy  punishment 

that  awaited  them  if  a  prisoner  died  beneath  their 

charge,  he  said,  "  Surely  the  noble  guardians  would 

not  have  it  proclaimed  to  the  next  visiting  mandarin 

that  they  have  been  drinking  the  prohibited  spirit." 

Perceiving  now  that  they  were  upon  the  horns  of 

a   dilemma,  the   gaolers  hesitated.     Then  a  bright 

thought  came  to  one,  and  he  said,  "  Truly,  the  tea  is 

cold ;  a  fire-pan  will  warm  it ;  and  so  it  will  not  be 

suspected  that  rice  spirit  has  been  brought  into  the 

prison."     Thus  settling  the  matter  to  his  satisfaction, 

the  man  procured  a  small  dish  of  fire  and  a  cup  of 

cold  water,  when  Chow  had  another  attack,  and  in 

his  paroxysms  kicked  over  his  tea-cup,  and  then  very 

Inconsistently  clamored  for  cold  water.     This  request 

being  complied  with,  the  patient  sipped  and  appeared 

a  degree  better,  for  he  then  stood  upon  his  feet  and 

thanked  his  dehverers,  and,  moreover,  offered  them 

some  more  spirit,  an  offence  which  was  repeated  and 

accepted  till  both  gaolers  became  very  good-humored 


ESCAPE   OF   NICUOLAS.  •  85 

and  talkative,  first  to  Chow,  then  to  Nicholas.  Find- 
ing that  they  were  busy  with  the  latter,  Chow  saun- 
tered up  to  the  fire  and  sat  befi^re  it,  as  if  to  prevent 
another  attack  by  its  heat.  Then  a  sweet  perfume 
pervaded  the  atmosphere,  and  so  gradually  increased 
in  strength,  that,  imperceptibly  to  themselves,  the 
tongues  of  the  men  slackened  by  degrees,  their  loud 
tones  softened  into  silence,  their  heads  waved  gently 
to  and  fro,  till,  overcome  by  the  density  of  the  air, 
they  fell  sideways  uj^on  the  ground.  It  was  not  far 
to  fall,  for  they  had  been  squatting  upon  the  floor 
during  their  jovial  conversation.  Then  taking  a 
large  sponge  that  he  had  been  holding  to  his  own 
nostrils,  Chow  held  it  to  the  nose  of  Nicholas,  who, 
not  being  intoxicated  with  spirit,  soon  exhibited  signs 
of  returning  animation,  when  creeping  up  to  the  droop- 
ing gaolers,  he  passed  something,  not  a  sponge,  near 
to  their  nostrils,  which  seemed  to  have  the  effect  of 
double  locking  their  senses.  Then  leading  the  half- 
msensible  Nicholas  to  the  window,  he  took  a  knife 
from  his  girdle  and  cut  away  the  painted  paper  panes, 
when  the  cold  air  soon  made  the  master  as  sensible 
as  the  servant. 

Arresting  by  a  sign,  Nicholas's  exclamations  of 
surprise  at  these  proceedings,  Chow  pulled  forth  the 
silken  cord,  fastened  one  end  to  the  table,  then  tying 
his  knife  to  the  other  enihe  let  it  gently  dovni,  and 
hunsr  out  of  the  window  with  it  in  his  hand,  as  if  he 
had  been  fishing.  In  a  few  minutes  he  obtained  a 
bite,  for  the  rope  gave  a  jerk.  This  being  satisfactory, 
he  whispered  to  his  master  to  descend  by  the  loops. 


86  THE  WAE  TIGER. 

Nicholas  complied,  and  in  one  minute  found  himself 
in  the  arms  of  some  j^erson,  and  in  another,  carried 
into  a  small  room,  about  large  enough  to  hold  four 
men.  A  minute  more,  Chow  entered  the  cabin,  the 
boat  began  to  glide  along  the  canal,  and  Nicholas  com- 
prehended the  whole  of  Chow's  scheme.  Now  you 
have  the  reason  of  his  delight  in  seizing  upon  the  box 
of  pastiles,  two  of  which  he  had  managed  to  light  while 
his  back  was  turned  to  the  gaolers.  The  cold  water 
Chow  knew  to  be  an  antidote  to  the  stu^oifying  effects 
of  the  perfume,  if  applied  immediately,  as  in  the  case 
of  Nicholas,  As  for  the  boy's  illness,  that  was  a 
ruse,  and  a  very  good  one  too,  under  the  circum- 
Btances. 


THE   BOAT  WRECK.  87 


CHAPTER  XI. 

PUESTJED  BY  THE  TAH-TTJ. — THE  BOAT  WKECK. 

"When  the  boat  had  run  a  sufficient  distance  from 
the  prison,  Sing,  for  he  it  was  who  had  so  ably  aided 
in  the  escape,  putting  a  pole  in  the  hands  of  Nicholas, 
and  taking  one  himself,  they  forced  the  little  craft 
along  the  waters  with  the  greatest  possible  sjieed. 
As  for  Chow,  not  finding  another  pole,  and  resolved 
not  to  be  left  out  of  the  good  work,  he  took  off  his 
boots,  threw  his  legs  over  the  stern,  and  helped  to 
propel  the  boat  by  paddling  against  the  water  with 
his  feet.  By  these  means,  in  a  very  short  time,  they 
arrived  at  the  back  of  Sing's  house,  which  fortunately 
faced  the  canal.  It  was  thus,  indeed,  that  the  inn- 
keeper had  been  enabled  to  pass  to  the  prison  in  the 
little  san-pan  which  he  had  borrowed  from  a  friendly 
boatman. 

Going  into  the  house  to  caution  his  wife  against 
feeling  alarmed  at  his  j)robably  prolonged  absence, 
he  left  them  for  a  few  minutes,  and  when  he  returned 
they  had  no  small  cause  to  rejoice  at  his  thoughtful- 
ness,  for  his  wife  had  just  heard  from  one  of  the  pris- 
on attendants,  who  lived  at  the  inn,  that  about  half 
an  hour  after  their  escape  the  reUef  guard  of  gaolers 
had  discovered  their  absence,  and  sent  a  body  of 
yah-yu,  both  by  land  and  water,  to  recapture  them, 


88  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

By  the  toe  of  the  Emperor,  the  villain  god  has 
deceived  me,  for  he  promised  a  fortimate  day,"  said 
Chow. 

"  It  is  thy  head  and  heart,  and  not.  the  foolish 
unages,  that  have  hitherto  helped  thee.  Chow.  We 
will  now  trust  to  the  same  aids,  and  by  the  assistance 
of  the  One  true  God,  these  rogues  shall  not  overtake 
us,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  The  noble  youth  is  brave,  but  he  may  not  perform 
impossibilities,"  replied  Sing. 

"  Truly  it  is  not  far  to  the  river,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  The  river !"  exclaimed  Sing,  with  affright. 
"  Truly  Fo  himself  could  not  make  a  boat  Uve  upon 
the  river  such  a  night  as  this,  at  the  full  of  the 
moon." 

"It  is  our  only  safety,  for  these  rascal  yah-yu 
dare  not  follow,"  said  Nicholas,  who  regarded  the 
great  and  dangerous  waters  of  the  river  as  his  native 
element,  adding,  "  If  thou.  Chow,  but  show  a  brave 
heart." 

"  Truly,  my  master,  Chow  fears  not  men,  but  surely 
it  would  be  a  vile  thing  to  auger  the  god  of  the 
waters,  who  may  this  night  swallow  all  who  dare  tc 
pass  from  the  estuary." 

"  Art  thou  an  idiot,  that  after  the  exhibition  at  tht 
monastery,  the  folly  of  these  toy  gods  of  the  bonzes 
is  not  imprinted  upon  thine  eyeballs  ?"  said  Nicholas, 
adding  angrily,  "  But  if  thou  fearest,  hide  thee  Avith 
the  good  Sing,  and  thy  master  will  brave  the  torrents 
alone." 

"  This  thing  may  not  be,  O  noble  Nicholas,  foi 


THE   BOAT  "WRECK.  89 

rather  than  leave  thee,  thy  servant  would  be  a  hiui- 
dred  times  swallowed  by  Yen- Vang  hhnself,"  said 
Chow. 

"  Thou  art  brave,  youth,  and  may  it  please  Fo  to 
conduct  thee  safely  to  thy  journey's  end,"  said  Sing, 
adding  with  alarm,  "  But  see,  yonder  is  the  boat  of 
the  yah-yu,  for  surely  no  other  would  be  in  metiou  at 
this  hour  of  the  night." 

"  Then,"  said  Nicholas,  looking  at  a  red  light  which 
appeared  to  be  fixed  at  the  prow  of  a  moving  boat, 
"  we  must  labor  for  our  lives.  Chow. 

Then  taking  a  silent  but  hearty  farewell  of  the  inn- 
keeper, the  youths  clutched  the  poles  and  in  another 
minute  they  were  gliding  along  the  water  street  un- 
heeded, except  by  the  watchmen,  whose  questions 
they  answered  with  a  few  copper  coins,  and  they 
pushed  on  through  the  dark  night,  till  nearly  worn 
out  with  the  exertion.  The  fact,  however,  that  they 
were  toiling  for  their  lives,  lent  them  additional 
strength,  so  after  a  short  rest,  away  they  went  again  in 
right  good  earnest ;  then  the  hum  of  distant  voices 
floated  through  the  night  air.  Resting  for  a  moment 
Chow  placed  his  ear  near  to  the  water,  saying,  "Truly 
they  are  following  us,  but  more,  my  master,  we  are 
near  the  great  dike,  which  it  would  be  as  easy  to 
pass  as  to  swaUow  a  mountain." 

"  Courage,  O  Chow,  let  us  pass  the  dike,  and  the 
rats  wiU  never  overtake  us,"  said  Nicholas,  toiling 
harder  than  ever  at  the  pole. 

This  dike  or  ylnice  divided  from  the  canal  the  waters 
of  the  river  which  Nicholas  had  been  so  anxious  to 


90  THE   WAR  TIGER 

reach,  but  as  Chow  knew  they  could  not  get  the  boal 
hauled  over  by  Coolies  at  that  hour  of  the  night,  he 
could  i)erceive  nought  but  a  barrier  that  by  arresting 
their  jirogress,  must  put  them  in  the  hands  of  their 
enemies  ;  still  not  liking  to  disobey,  he  toiled  at  his 
pole,  and  speedily  the  boat  came  alongside  some 
twenty  others,  which  had  arrived  too  late  to  be 
hauled  over  that  night. 

Nicholas,  however,  knowing  the  influence  of  money, 
determined  to  get  over  the  difficulty.  So  fetching 
the  lantern  from  the  cabin,  he  so  shaded  its  light 
with  his  robe,  that  while  it  could  not  be  seen  by  their 
pursuers,  he  could  see  moored  some  distance  from 
them  a  little  fleet  of  san-pans.  This  he  had  expected, 
so  gently  pushmg  the  boat  alongside  one  of  them  he 
tapped  upon  the  egg-like  roof,  and  in  another 
minute  a  man  put  out  his  head,  when  putting  a  piece 
of  silver  in  his  hand,  as  an  earnest  of  a  greater  re- 
ward, the  boatman  acquiesced,  and  in  a  few  minutes 
more  he  had  aroused  some  of  his  fellows,  who  very 
nimbly  set  about  mooring  their  boats  till  they  had 
drawn  them  across  the  canal,  so  as  to  form  a  barri- 
cade, in  the  event  of  the  enemy  makmg  its  appear- 
ance ;  after  which  the  boatman  fastened  a  stout  rope  ' 
around  the  stern  of  the  boys'  boat,  got  into  his  own, 
and  cautioning  them  to  hold  on  by  the  roof  of  the 
cabin,  with  the  assistance  of  some  dozen  of  his  mates  in 
their  boats,  forced  the  little  craft  to  the  summit  of  the 
stone  slope,  when  all  clinging  to  the  rope,  let  her  slide 
gently  down  the  other  side  into  the  riv^^r,  when  silent- 
ly the  san-pans  moved  back  to  their  moorings,  so  that 


THE   BOAT    WRECK.  91 

upon  their  arrival  at  the  dike  the  yah-yu  must  have 
been  strangely  puzzled  at  the  boy's  escape  from  their 
clutches. 

The  dangers  of  the  river,  however,  were  far  greater 
than  Nicholas  had  calculated,  for  the  great  stream 
upon  whose  bosom  they  had  embarked,  was  at  times 
as  tempestuous  as  the  ocean,  and  they  possessed  nei- 
ther oars  nor  sails ;  as  for  the  poles,  the  great  depth 
of  the  river  rendered  them  useless.  Again,  the  night 
Avas  so  dark,  that  except  by  the  feeble  light  of  their 
lantern  they  could  not  see  each  other's  faces ;  their 
only  consolation  was,  that  the  waters  were  then  as 
smooth  and  tranquil  as  those  of  the  canal,  except  that 
a  rapid  current  seemed  to  be  sweeping  them  along 
witliout  an  effort  of  their  own. 

"May  the  great  god  Fo  protect  us  against  Ma- 
tsoo-po,  to  whom  we  can  offer  no  incense,"  said 
Chow. 

"  How  i  Can  it  be  that  one  so  brave  on  land  should 
be  so  great  a  coward  upon  water  ?"  said  Nicholas. 

"  Truly  it  is  a  maxim,  my  master  that,  '  all  are  cow- 
ards who  can't  help  themselves.'  Chow  in  the 
waters  would  be  less  than  the  least  of  little  fishes, 
for  he  cannot  swim,"  was  the  gloomy  reply. 

"  It  is  also  a  maxim,  '  that  the  gods  forsake  those 
who  forsake  themselves,' "  said  Nicholas,  adding, 
"  But  it  is  fatigue,  my  poor  Chow,  that  destroys  thy 
courage ;  get  thee,  therefore,  into  the  cabin  and  rest 
for  a  time,  while  I  keep  watch." 

"  Nay,  Fo  protect  us,  or  we  are  food  for  the  favor- 
ites of  the  god  of  the  waters,"  replied  Chow,  as  the 


92  THE  "WAR  TIGER. 

boat  at  tliat  moment  made  a  tremulous  "movementj 
wbich  so  alarmed  Nicholas,  that  clutching  hold  of 
Chow's  arm,  he  said,  "  Now  put  forth  aU  thy  energies 
or  we  are  lost,  for  the  '  bore'  is  upon  us." 

This  was  sufficient,  for  in  the  presence  of  real  dan- 
ger Chow  soon  drove  away  the  troubled  fancies  of 
his  brain. 

"  The  poles  are  our  only  chance,"  said  Nicholas, 
and,  quickly  as  thought,  they  fastened  their  poles  to 
the  sides,  so  that  they  stretched  out  like  two  great 
arms.  "  Let  us  but  keep  our  whole  weight  steadily 
upon  the  handles,  and  we  may  keep  her  course 
straight,"  said  Nicholas ;  and  no  sooner  had  they 
thrown  themselves  across  the  poles  than  a  noise  hke 
that  of  distant  thunder  rumbled  through  the  air ;  it 
was  the  great  tide  wave  rolling  like  a  mountain 
toward  them.  Now  they  could  not  escape ;  so,  com- 
mending their  souls  to  Heaven,  they  awaited  its  ap- 
proach with  suspended  breath.  It  came,  and,  with  a 
roar,  caught  up  the  boat,  carrying  it  to  a  height  of 
fifty  feet ;  in  another  second  the  boys  were  covered 
with  a  cold  sweat  at  the  narrowness  of  their  escape, 
which  had  been  owing  to  their  precaution.  Then 
followed  a  calm,  as  if  the  anger  of  the  watery  ele- 
ment had  subsided.  The  boys  slackened  their  hold 
of  the  poles,  and  so  they  continued  for  two  hours, 
going  they  knew  not  whither.  Suddenly  the  boat 
began  to  rock. 

"  To  your  pole,  Chow,"  cried  Nicholas.  No  soon- 
er had  he  complied,  than  they  found  they  liad  entered 
upon  a  rapid,  for  the  little  craft  shot  forth   almost 


THE   BOAT  WRECF  •  93 

with  the  velocity  of  an  arrow.  Then  came  the  first 
faint  streaks  of  daybreak,  and  they  trembled,  for  they 
saw  that  they  had  entered  a  narrow  creek.  "  Steady, 
for  our  lives,  there  is  hope  yet,  for  yonder  vessel 
may  see  us,"  said  Nicholas.  The  vessel  to  which  he 
alluded  was  a  large  junk,  so  skilfully  handled  that 
she  seemed   to  be  stemming  the  torrent.     Gaininof 

O  O 

hope,  the  boys  clung  to  their  only  chance,  namely, 
keeping  the  poles  in  their  fixed  positious.  Another 
half  hour,  however,  and  their  strength  became 
exhausted,  the  poles  quivered,  the  boys  felt  they  could 
not  hold  out  much  longer ;  still  another  determined 
efibrt;  their  minds  lent  strength  to  their  limbs. 
Then  the  first  light  of  the  sun,  an  eastern  sun,  shone 
upon  the  junk,  and  disclosed  a  huge  painted  eye  (the 
government  emblem),  at  the  sight  of  which,  and 
screaming  aloud  "The  yah-yu !"  Chow  let  go  his 
hold,  fell  backward,  and  one  pole  being  thus  released, 
the  boat  lost  its  equilibrium,  the  pole  of  Nicholas 
snapped,  and  she  swang  round  like  a  Catherine  wheel. 
They  were  in  a  whirlpool — nothing  could  save  them 
— then  came  a  fearful  crash,  and  neither  Chow  nor 
Nicholas  could  distinguish  more. 


94  THE   WAR  TIGER. 


CHAPTER  Xn. 

NICHOLAS  AGAIN  TAKEN  PKISONER. 

With  the  wild  whirling  of  the  waters  ringing  ic 
his  ears,  and  the  great  painted  eye  before  his  vision, 
Nicholas  stared  around.  Where  could  he  be  ?  He 
was  lying  upon  a  mat,  in  a  small  low  room ;  he  sat 
uj),  endeavored  to  comj)rehend  his  position,  and  the 
san-pan,  the  bore",  the  torrent,  the  whirlpool,  all  flash- 
ed across  him — but  where  could  he  be  ?  There  be- 
fore him  stood  a  coj^per  god,  hideously  grinning  at  a 
pan  of  burning  incense.  Surely  it  must  be  the  cabin 
of  a  junk — but  what  ? — whose  ?  Possibly  the  yah- 
yu's.  It  must  be  so ;  and,  brave  as  he  was,  he  shud- 
dered. Then,  looking  out  of  the  window,  he  could  see 
nothing  but  a  vast  extent  of  paddy  (rice  in  the  husks) 
fields.  Then  he  saw  the  junk  was  passing  along  a 
canal,  which,  from  its  width,  he  knew  must  be  the 
great  Imperial  Canal.  Then  Chow — poor  Chow — 
and  as  he  believed  him  to  have  been  swallowed  up  in 
the  waters,  the  gallant  boy  burst  into  tears  ;  and  this 
great  grief  banished  every  selfish  thought  from  his 
mind.  Then  he  trembled  for  the  safety  of  his  letters ; 
but,  feelmg  beneath  his  robe,  he  found  them  secure. 
Again  he  wept  for  Chow,  and,  happening  to  look  at 
the  god,  the  hideous  little  brute  seemed  to  be  rejoic- 


NICHOLAS  A  PEISONER  AGAIN.  95 

ing  at  bis  troubles,  and  in  momentary  rage  he  knocked 
the  deity  off  its  perch  with  his  fist,  with  such  violence 
that  the  pain  and  blood  upon  his  lacerated  knuckles 
immediately  reminded  him  of  the  stupidity  of  the 
act,  and  he  laughed  at  his  folly ;  but  reflecting  that 
the  captain  of  the  vessel  might  visit  such  an  insult 
to  the  image  upon  himself  he  replaced  it  in  its  origi- 
nal position. 

At  that  moment  the  door  opened,  and  Chow  enter 
ed  with  a  tray,  upon  which  were  two  cups,  a  jar,  and 
other  materials  for  a  meal,  and  in  his  surprise  exclaim- 
ing "  Chow !"  the  latter  was  so  much  startled  that 
he  nearly  dropped  the  tray. 

"May  Tien  be  thanked;  my  master  is  far  from 
Yen- Vang." 

"  Where  are  we,  O  Chow  ?"  said  Nicholas,  recov- 
ering from  his  surprise  ;  but  the  boy  would  answer 
no  questions  until  Nicholas  had  partaken  of  the 
meal. 

As  soon  as  by  eating  and  drinking,  he  had  satisfied 
Chow  that  he  was  really  alive,  the  latter  said,  "  Truly 
the  gods  must  have  been  favorably  disposed  toward 
the  noble  Nicholas,  to  have  kept  him  alive  for  so 
many  days  and  nights,  without  brains  in  his  head  or 
food  in  his  mouth." 

"  What  words  are  these,  O  Chow?"  said  Nicholas, 
placing  his  hand  to  his  forehead,  as  if  making  an 
effort  to  decipher  the  boy's  meaning. 

"  Let  my  master  open  his  ears,"  said  Chow ; 
adding,  "  Worn  out  with  my  exertions  in  the  boat,  I 
no  sooner  perceived  the  terrible  eye  than  I  loosened 


96  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

my  hold  of  the  pole,  and  either  from  fright  or  fatigue, 
became  insensible ;  the  water,  however,  revived  me, 
and  looking  for  my  master,  I  saw  him  lying  by  my 
side  upon  a  shelving  edge  of  rock,  for,  thanks  be  to 
Fo,  we  had  dashed  upon  the  rock,  the  servant  with 
out  harm,  but  the  master  receiving  such  a  blow  that 
it  deprived  him  of  his  senses ;  when,  alarmed  for  his 
life,  I  shouted  to  the  crew  of  the  junk  for  help,  and 
begged  of  them  to  take  us  on  board,  but  the  rats 
refused,  saying,  that  as  the  gods  had  evidently  re- 
served us  for  droAvning,  to  resist  would  be  to  provoke 
Ma-tsoo-po.  Then,  as  my  only  hope,  I  shouted  to 
them  that  I  had  secured  a  traitor  for  whose  head  fifty 
taels  were  offered." 

"  Surely  thou  art  not  a  rogue."  But  not  noticing 
this,  Chow  continued,  "  The  hope  of  so  much  silver 
made  the  rogues  carry  us  on  board,  and  then  poor 
Chow  could  have  swallowed  fire,  for  when  he  begged 
of  them  to  use  means  to  recall  thee  to  thy  senses,  tlie 
dog  of  a  caj^tain  said,  '  Know  thou  rat  of  a  boy,  that 
if  fifty  taels  are  offered  for  the  rascal's  head,  it  will 
save  trouble  to  lop  it  off  at  once.'  Then  Fo  sent  a 
thought  into  my  brainless  head,  and  falling  at  the 
captain's  feet,  I  told  him  that  so  great  were  thy 
crimes,  that  although  fifty  taels  would  be  given  for 
thy  head,  five  hundred  and  a  mandarin's  button  would 
be  given  for  thy  whole  body. 

"Then  said  the  captain,  'the  dog  utters  words  oi 
wisdom,'  and  fearing  to  lose  the  silver,  if  you  died, 
he  commanded  a  physician  who  happened  to  be  on 
board  to  make  thee  sound  and  whole,  and  moreover, 


NICHOLAS   A   PRISONER   AGAIN.  97 

promised  to  reward  me  with  ten  taels  if  I  helped  to 
bring  thee  round." 

But  as  they  heard  approaching  footsteps,  Chow 
said  softly,  "  Get  thee  to  thy  mat,  it  is  the  physician ; 
do  not  let  him  bring  thee  to  thy  senses,  or  we  are 
lost." 

By  the  time  Nicholas  had  lain  down,  an  elderly 
man,  with  a  small  fbnnel  and  a  porcelain  cup  in  his 
hands,  entered  the  cabin,  and  with  as  much  meaning- 
less mystery  of  manner  as  one  of  our  doctors,  knelt 
by  his  side  and  commenced  the  comical  operation  of 
feeling  his  pulse,  or  rather  piilses,  for  the  physician's 
hands  and  fingers  traveled  up  and  down  the  boy's 
body  hke  a  flea  in  search  of  a  choice  bite.  Having 
gone  through  this  performance,  he  placed  the  funnel 
in  the  patient's  mouth,  and  poured  down  his  throat 
a  decoction  of  the  gen-seng  root,  a  plant  which  the 
Chinese  believe  will  cure  all  ills;  and,  disagreeable 
and  difficult  as  it  was,  Nicholas  swallowed  it,  which 
so  dehghted  the  old  gentleman  that  he  left  the  cabin 
chuckhng,  but  telling  Chow  on  no  account  to  attempfj 
to  awake  him  for  the  next  three  hours,  as  he  was  as- 
sured that  nature  was  bringing  him  to  by  her  own 
means. 

"  Verily  the  old  cheat  beheves  I  have  a  fever,"  said 
Nicholas,  jumping  up  as  soon  as  the  doctor  had  left 
the  cabin. 

Chow,  who  had  been  gazing  from  the  window  of  the 

cabin  while  the  physician  was  present,  no  sooner  saw 

him  leave  than  he  said,  "We  shall  leave  the  dogs 

now ;"  addmg,  "  Let  the  noble  Nicholas  remain  sense- 

7 


98  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

less  till  Chow  returns,"  and  without  another  word  he 
left  the  cabin. 

For  some  time  Nicholas  remained  quiet  upon  the 
mat,  but  getting  tired  he  arose,  and  looking  out  of 
the  window  he  saw  that  the  junk  was  in  the  middle 
of  the  canal,  and  from  the  great  quantity  of  boata 
knew  they  were  near  to  some  great  city.  He  had 
not,  however,  been  looking  long,  when  to  his  surprise 
he  saw  one  of  these  san-pans  come  alongside  the  junk, 
and  taking  Chow  on  board,  paddled  off  to  the  shore, 
where  he  remained  for  some  time,  and  then  was 
brought  back  to  the  junk.  What  could  that  mean  ? 
Surely  Chow  was  not  playing  him  false.  No  he  was 
ashamed  of  the  thought.  The  boy  must  be  concoc- 
ting some  scheme  for  his  benefit ;  but  hearing  foot 
steps  he  resumed  his  position  upon  the  mat,  and  in 
another  minute  the  physician  and  Chow  entered. 
This  time  the  doctor  only  went  through  the  pulse 
performance,  saying,  "  Now  if  the  rascal  would  but 
move  a  limb  it  would  show  that  Fo  and  the  immor- 
tal drug  had  sent  the  blood  into  his  muscles. 

A  comical  notion  came  into  the  patient's  head ;  it 
was  dangerous,  but  it  might  prevent  the  necessity  of 
the  funnel  being  put  in  his  throat,  and  so  with  a 
slight  yawn  he  suddenly  gave  the  old  gentleman  such 
a  kick  on  the  shins  that  he  started  with  surprise,  but 
delighted  that  his  treatment  had  succeeded,  he  said, 
*'  Truly  the  rogue  is  getting  his  strength,"  and  hopped 
out  of  the  room,  uttering  maledictions  upon  the 
Bailors  for  robbing  him  of  his  gen-seng. 

"What  meant  the  rat  by  those  words?"   said 


NICHOLAS  A   PRISONER   AGAIN.  99 

Nicholas,  and  he  was  more  than  satisfied  when 
Chow  told  him  the  following  story :  The  doctor  placed 
implicit  faith  in  the  wonderful  cnrative  powers  of 
the  famous  gen-seng,  a  quantity  of  which  he  carried 
about  with  him,  ready  for  any  accident  that  might 
happen.  Knowing  this,  Chow  had  managed  to  secure 
the  whole,  and,  as  he  anticipated,  when  the  old  gen- 
tleman discovered  his  loss  he  grew  furious,  and  told 
the  captain  that  Nicholas  would  die.  The  captain 
being  in  fear  of  losing  his  reward,  had  all  the  men 
searched,  and  not  a  few  beaten  with  the  bamboot  It 
was  all  of  no  use.  What  was  to  be  done  ?  Chow 
oflered  to  go  ashore  and  procure  some ;  the  captain 
agreed,  a  signal  was  made  for  a  boatman,  who,  as  we 
have  seen,  came  off  to  the  junk,  took  Chow  ashore, 
from  whence  he  returned  with  the  much-prized  plant, 
Avhich,  by  the  way,  he  had  no  greater  trouble  in  ob- 
taining than  putting  his  hand  in  a  hole  in  the  lining 
of  his  outer  garment. 

While  in  the  boat  Chow  had  made  good  use  of  his 
time,  for  he  had  bribed  the  boatman  to  bring  his  little 
craft  alongside  the  junk  about  the  middle  of  the 
third  watch. 

The  night  is  divided  into  five  watches;  the  firs* 
begins  at  seven  and  is  distinguished  by  a  single  stroke, 
which  is  repeated  every  minute  tUl  the  second  watch, 
when  two  blows  are  given,  and  so  with  the  third, 
fourth,  and  fifth. 

Anxiously  did  they  await  the  treble  sound;  at 
»ength  it  came, — one,  two,  three, — and  they  stood 
with  breathless  expectation ;  about  the  tenth  minute 


100  THE   WAR  TIOER. 

of  the  third  watch  there  was  a  tap  at  the  paper  win- 
dow,  when  pulling  out  his  knife,  Chow  ran  the  blade 
around  the  paper,  and  the  next  moment  the  end  of 
a  rope  was  thrown  through.  Making  this  fast  to  a 
hook  within  the  cabin,  Nicholas  crept  legs  foremost 
through  the  hole,  and  catching  hold  of  a  rope  swang 
himself  into  the  san-pan.  Chow  followed,  and  they 
crawled  into  the  little  cabin,  when  the  san-pan  glided 
away,  not,  however,  without  arousing  one  of  the  sai- 
lors, who  believing  that  the  boat  had  crept  alongside 
with  some  nefarious  design  upon  the  property  of  the 
vessel,  sharjDly  warned  the  boatman  of  the  danger  of 
any  such  attempt,  as  he  was  on  the  qui  vive.  The 
boatman,  however,  having  given  a  satisfactory  reply, 
he  pushed  onward,  and  after  passing  through  a  little 
world  of  junks,  san-pans,  and  barges,  they  managed 
to  effect  a  landing  without  being  noticed.  After 
which,  the  man  having  fastened  his  boat  led  them 
through  the  suburbs  till  they  reached  a  small  mud 
hut,  from  the  top  of  which  issued  a  wreathing  column 
of  flame  and  smoke. 

"  It  is  the  hut  of  a  sentry,"  exclaimed  Nicholas,  who 
knew  that  the  signal  huts  were  distributed  at  distances 
of  about  a  mile  apart  throughout  the  interior,  as  a 
warning  to  all  would-be  depredators  that  the  police 
were  on  the  alert,  and  this  being  precisely  the  kind  of 
place  they  should  have  avoided,  he  said,  "  For  what 
purpose  has  the  worthy  boatman  brought  us  to  this 
hut." 

"  Truly,  my  master,  we  are  in  safe  bands,  for  the 
man  on  duty  is  the  boatman's  brother  and  will  let  us 


NICHOLAS   A   PRISCNER   AGAIN.  101 

hide  here  till  morning,"  said  Chow,  and  the  next 
moment  they  were  within  the  hut  partaking  of  a 
portion  of  the  soldier's  fare  of  hot  tea  and  rice  bread. 

After  some  little  time  the  boatman  said,  "  Truly  it 
is  not  often  that  brothers  meet,  and  it  is  well  that  we 
should  have  a  fraternal  conversation." 

When  the  men  left  the  hut  Chow  took  a  paper  from 
his  robe,  leant  over  a  fire,  and  having  perused  it,  said, 
"  The  dog  is  a  rogue,  he  would  give  us  shelter  to- 
night but  to  betray  us  in  the  morning." 

*'  What  words  are  these  ?  Truly  the  boatman  know 
us  as  nought  but  two  poor  travelers." 

"My  master's  thoughts  are  generous,"  replied 
Chow;  adding,  as  he  handed  Nicholas  the  paper, 
*'  Let  the  noble  man-boy  read  for  himself." 

Taking  the  paper,  Nicholas  read,  "  Let  the  noble 
commander  oiFcr  a  handsome  reward,  and  the  rascals 
who  have  escaped  shall  be  again  placed  in  his  hands." 

"Truly  this  is  villainy ;  but  how  fell  this  paper  into 
thy  hands,  O  Chow." 

"  Is  it  not  a  maxim  that  wickedness  defeats  its  own 
ends?"  said  Chow;  adding,  "As  thy  servant  waa 
getting  from  the  window  of  the  junk  into  the  san-pan, 
that  paper  fell  into  his  hand.  Doubtless  the  rascal 
boatman  threw  it  upon  the  deck,  from  whence  by  ac- 
cident, it  fell  into  my  hands." 

"  Truly  it  must  have  been  thrown  by  the  hand  of 
Heaven,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  We  will  defeat  the  rascals,  for  fortunately  I  have 
saved  one  of  the  thieves'  pastiles,"  said  Chow,  pul- 
ling one  of  the  pyramids  from  beneath  his  robe. 


102  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

Then  as  they  heard  the  footsteps  of  the  soldier 
they  squatted  before  the  fire,  pretending  to  be  in  ear- 
nest conversation.  The  man  joined  them,  and  having 
poured  some  hot  water  into  a  cup,  took  a  pinch  of 
tea-dust  from  a  little  packet  and  made  himself  a  cup 
of  that  beverage.  But  while  the  soldier  was  drink- 
ing, and  probably  chuckling  at  the  good  roimd  sum 
he  should  obtain  in  the  morning  for  Chow  and  Nicho- 
las, the  latter  pulled  his  arms  behind,  and  held  them 
till  Chow  tore  enough  of  his  coarse  loose  garment  to 
form  a  ligatui'e,  with  which  he  secured  them ;  then 
throwing  him  upon  his  back,  and  leaving  Nicho- 
las to  prevent  his  rolling  ovei',  he  pulled  from  his 
robe  a  portable  lantern,  unfolded  it,  lit  the  wick, 
then  lighting  the  pastile,  at  arm's  length  he  held  it 
beneath  the  soldiers's  nostrils  till  he  became  stupid, 
and  indeed,  until  he  became  insensible,  when,  rolUng 
him  over  and  leaving  the  pastile  burning,  they  left 
the  hut,  taking  good  care  to  secure  it  from  the 
outside. 


PiGODAS.  103 


CHAPTER  Xm. 

PAGODAS,   THEIK   ACa-IQUITY  AND   USES. 

Alone,  unarmed,  iu  a  strange  country,  at  night,  and 
pursued  by  enemies,  tbe  boys  stood  for  a  time  to  con- 
sider their  next  steps.  Fortunately,  at  that  moment 
tlie  moon  began  to  shine  more  brightly,  and  they  saw 
at  the  distance  of  some  few  hundred  yards  the  giant 
form  of  a  pagoda  rising  from  the  summit  of  a  hiU, 
with  its  quaint  polygon  form,  varnished  green  tiles, 
and  gilded  bells  hanging  fx-om  every  point. 

"  Truly  the  gods  have  directed  our  footsteps  to  a 
resting-place  till  the  morning,"  said  Chow. 

This  was  indeed  a  fortunate  discovery,  foi*,  know- 
ing that  most  of  the  pagodas  were  untenanted,  they 
might  hide  there  ;  and  with  hghtened  hearts  they 
walked  onward,  till  they  came  to  a  valley,  or  ceme- 
tery, filled  with  tombs,  and  through  which  they 
walked  till  they  came  to  the  base  of  a  hill,  at  the  top 
of  which  was  the  entrance  to  the  pagoda.  Having 
reached  one  of  the  gates,  they  found  it  locked,  a  diffi- 
culty that  was  soon  surmounted  by  Chow,  who  cast 
his  lautei-n  toward  one  of  the  windows  of  the  lower 
story,  and,  as  he  expected,  found  that,  like  the  major- 
ity of  these  quaint  .structures,  this  one  was  in  ruins  ; 
so,  by  means  of  the  shoulder  of  Nicholas,  he  climbed 


104  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

through  a  window,  and  speedily  opened  the  gate, 
when  they  found  themselves  in  an  apartment  lined 
with  black  varnished  tiles,  nearly  all  of  which  were 
carved  with  gilded  idols. 

"Thank  Heaven,  we  are  safe  from  the  rats,"  said 
Nicholas. 

"  And  may  sleep,  O  my  master,"  said  the  fatigued 
Chow,  laying  himself  at  full  length  upon  the  floor,  an 
example  that  was  speedily  followed  by  Nicholas,  who, 
Hke  Chow,  notwithstanding  the  danger  that  sur- 
rounded them,  fell  into  a  sound  sleep. 

These  singulai',  and  frequently  beautiful  buildings, 
towering  upward  in  various  heights  upon  the  rising 
groimds,  like  an  unequally  grown  forest  of  quaint 
spires,  form  the  chief  characteristic  in  Chinese  sce- 
nery. As  if  the  builders  believed  luck  to  be  found 
in  odd  numbers,  they  are  either  of  seven,  nine,  or 
thirteen  stories,  and  moreover,  all  shaped  from  the 
model  of  the  famous  Tower  of  Nankin,  which,  after 
an  existence  of  nine  hundred  years,  has  so  recently 
been  wantonly  destroyed  by  the  iconoclastic  insur- 
gents, who  are,  at  the  present  time,  making  every 
effort  for  the  extermination  of  the  Mantchou  Tartars. 

As  for  the  origin  of  these  structui'es,  it  is  of  so  re- 
mote a  date,  that,  even  in  four  thousand  years  old 
China,  there  is  as  much  difference  of  opinion  as  about 
the  origin  of  the  round  towers  of  L'eland.  Some  of  the 
learned  writers  assert  that  they  were  erected  monu 
mentally  to  great  and  good  people,  others  that  they 
were  intended  as  watch-towers  in  time  of  war. 

A  very  probable  theory  is  that  they  are  of  Indian 


PAGODAS.  105 

origin,  having  been  introclucecl  by  tlie  priests  of  Bud 
dha,  for  the  purpose  of  saving  the  holy  relics,  thumbs, 
fingers,  toes,  or  any  other  portions  of  the  body  of  the 
god  that  might  from  time  to  time  be  found,  or  rather 
palmed  upon  the  superstitious  people  by  the  bonzes. 
By  way  of  illustrating  this  theory,  I  will  relate  to  you 
some  of  the  popular  legends.  The  first  is  really  a 
wild-goose  story. 

The  primitive  Buddhists  of  India  were  not  under 
such  strict  rules  of  diet  as  the  sect  afterward  became ; 
that  is,  not  vegetarians,  but  at  liberty  to  eat  veal, 
venison,  and  goose  flesh.  Well,  it  happened  that  on 
a  certain  day,  as  a  party  of  priests  were  seated  in  the 
open  air,  a  brace  of  wild  geese  flew  above  them, 
which  caused  them  to  exclaim,  "  Our  wish  is  that 
these  fowls  would  do  a  benevolent  act,"  when  one 
of  the  birds  immediately  dropped  down  dead.  Upon 
which  remarkable  event,  the  priests  cried,  "This 
goose  brings  down  a  prohibition  to  abstain  from 
flesh ;  we  must  therefore  consider  its  meritorious 
act."  Whereupon  they  erected  a  building  over  the 
poor  goose,  wliich  they  called  pagoda,  which  word, 
translated  from  the  Indian  word,  tsang-po,  into 
Chinese,  is  equivalent  to  wild  goose. 

Of  this  same  pagoda,  which  still  exists,  another 
legend  is  given. 

"  Nearly  six  hundred  years  after  the  introduction 
cf  Buddhism  into  China,  a  priest  of  the  sect  was  sent 
to  India  to  collect  and  translate  into  the  Chinese  lan- 
guage the  sacred  books  of  Budd.  On  his  return  with 
the  volumes,  he  brought  also  a  model  of  a  pagoda  ; 


106  THE   WAR   TIGER. 

in  commemoration  of  which,  and  also  as  a  receptacle 
for  the  sacred  Looks,  the  Emperor  erected  a  pagoda." 
If  this  legend  is  true,  and  it  certainly  is  more  proba- 
ble than  any  of  the  others,  it  is  curious,  as  during  the 
reign  of  this  same  Emperor,  in  the  year  636,  a  Chris- 
tian teacher  first  came  from  India  to  China,  and  was 
not  only  encouraged  by  the  Emperor,  but  was 
authorised  by  a  royal  decree  to  preach  Christianity 
among  the  people. 

Another   legend  states    that  in  the  year  256  a 
foreign  priest  of  the  Buddhist  religion  appeared  at 
the  capital,  and  performed  many  strange  and  super- 
natural feats,  which,  reaching  the  ears  of  the  Emper- 
or, caused  him  to  send  for  the  priest,  of  whom  he 
inquired  if  Buddha  could   communicate  any  dirine 
emblems.     The  priest  replied,  that  Buddha  had  left 
some  traces  of  himself  on   earth,  particularly  bone 
relics,   which  possessed    miraculous  powers.      The 
Emperor,  scarcely  believing  the  story,  told  the  priest 
that  if  any  such  bone  could  be  found,  he  would  erect 
a  great  pagoda.     To  this  the  story  goes  on  to  say, 
that  the  priest,  twenty-one  days  after,  brought  one 
of  the  god's  bones  in  a  bottle,  and  presented  it  to  his 
majesty,  and  that  when  taken   into  the  palace,  it 
lin-hted  up  the  whole  building.     Then  comes  the  most 
astonishing  portion  of  the  legend.     In  his  haste  to 
inspect  this  wonderful  bone,  the  Emperor  turned  it 
out  of  the  bottle,  into  a  large  copper  vessel,  when 
[he  bone,   probably  a  leg  bone,  of  its  own  accord 
kicked  the  massive  basin  with  such  violence  that  it 
became  shivered  into  a  thousand  pieces.     This,  you 


PAGODAS.  107 

would  imagine,  was  in  all  conscpence  sufficiently  pro 
digious  to  weaken  his  majesty's  nerves.  The  priest, 
however  insisted  uj^on  exhibiting  another  wonder, 
telling  the  emperor  that  so  matchless  were  the  quali- 
ties of  this  bone,  that  diamond  or  steel  could  not 
scratch  it,  fire  could  not  scorch  it,  nor  the  heaviest 
hammer  smash  it;  indeed,  to  injure  this  precious 
bone  in  any  way  v.^ould  be  to  perform  one  of  the  la- 
bors of  Hercules.  This,  however,  was  too  much  for 
the  beUef  of  the  Emperor,  and  so  he  ordered  his 
stoutest  blacksmith  to  take  his  heaviest  hammer  and 
make  the  attempt ;  the  priest,  however  got  the  best 
of  it,  for  no  sooner  did  the  hammer  touch  the  bone 
than  it  crumbled  into  atoms,  when,  probably,  in  de- 
light at  its  success,  this  clever  bone  shone  with  such 
effulgence  that  it  weakened  the  eyes  of  all  beholders. 
After  this  the  monarch  wanted  no  more  proof  of  the 
godship  of  Buddha,  kept  his  promise,  and  built  the 
first  pagoda  in  China. 

Most  of  these  legends  have  a  close  connection  with 
Buddhism  and  its  priests ;  it  is,  therefore,  most  prob- 
able that  these  pagodas  have,  from  their  introduction 
into  China  in  the  middle  of  the  first  century  of  the 
Christian  era,  been  used  in  connection  with  the 
bonzes.  This  opinion  is  entertained  by  the  learned 
Chinese  scholar,  the  Rev.  JVIr.  Milne,  who  says, 
"  Among  the  Chinese  themselves  it  is  a  common  say 
mg.  In  pagodas  they  save  and  preserve  the  family  of 
Buddha.  Usually  priests  of  this  order  are  in  charge 
of  the  pagoda,  and  sit  at  the  doors  of  the  most  fa 
mous  and  frequented,  to  receive  gratuities  from  visit 


108  THE    WAR  TIGER. 

ors.  Pagodas  are  situated  generally  on  Buddhists' 
lauds,  and  there  are  in  their  vicinity,  or  ai-ound  their 
base,  temples  or  monasteries  for  Buddhist  priests. 
Within  those  pagodas  that  are  at  *all  in  a  state  of 
preservation,  Buddhist  idols,  relics,  pictiu'es,  and 
books  are  deposited.  The  histories  of  these  build- 
ings throughout  the  empire,  at  least  the  earliest  of 
them,  are  crammed  with  Buddhist  tales  and  fictions." 
So  interesting  are  these  extraordinary  monuments 
of  antiquity,  as  being  the  probable  and  supposed  de- 
positories of  Buddhist  writings  and  Indian  docu- 
ments, which,  should  they  ever  be  brought  to  light 
will  not  only  throw  a  hght  upon  the  early  intercourse 
between  China  and  Hindostan,  but  elucidate  the  mys- 
tery which  now  hangs  over  the  history  of  the  reli- 
gion of  ancient  India,  a  matter  of  importance  to 
every  intelligent  being,  that  at  the  risk  of  being 
tedious,  I  could  not  forbear  having  a  Kttle  gossip 
with  my  yoimg  reader  on  the  subject.  But  now  to 
return  to  our  young  heroes. 


A  DANGEROUS   DEriUENT.  109 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

A   DANGEROUS   DESCENT. 

When  Nicholas  opened  his  eyes,  he  found  Chow 
awake  and  on  the  look-out  at  the  aperture  by  which 
he  had  entered  the  previous  evening.  He  called  to 
him,  but  the  boy's  whole  attention  was  evidently  too 
much  engaged  for  him  to  reply.  Surely,  thought 
Nicholas,  the  enemy  must  be  in  close  pursuit,  and  in 
an  instant,  he  was  upon  his  legs  and  by  the  side  of 
Chow,  who  exclaimed,  "  The  rascals  have  discovered 
our  retreat,  and  we  are  lost  after  all !" 

"Surely  thy  fears  deceive  thy  eyeballs,"  said 
Nicholas ;  but,  looking  for  himself,  he  saw  coming 
through  the  tombs  in  the  direction  of  the  pagoda,  not 
only  the  soldier  and  the  treacherous  boatman,  but  the 
captain  of  the  junk. 

"  The  roarues  will  arouse  the  bonzes  at  the  monas- 
tery,"  said  Chow. 

"  Truly  the  rats  are  not  so  senseless.  They  know  w« 
are  unarmed,  and  hope  to  take  us  without  letting  the 
bonzes  share  the  reward ;  but  let  us  ascend,  it  is  our 
only  chance,"  said  Nicholas,  leading  the  way  up  a 
Bteep  staircase  to  the  next  story ;  but,  hearing  voices 
beneath,  he  added,  "  Let  us  clamber  to  the  top  and 
lie  quiet,  when  they  may  perhaps  give  up  the  search." 


110  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

So  they  ascended  the  next  staircase,  but  when  they 
came  to  the  third  story  they  were  vexed  to  find  the 
stairs  fallen  so  completely  to  ruin  that  they  could 
proceed  no  higher.  Fortune,  however,  favored  them, 
for  looking  around  they  saw  a  ladder,  which  had 
probably  been  left  by  the  bonze,  whose  business  it 
was  to  exhibit  the  ancient  ruin  for  the  convenience  of 
visitors.  To  ascend  was  the  work  of  a  minute,  but 
before  they  had  reached  the  uppermost  round  of  the 
ladder  they  heard  their  pursuers  enter  the  lower 
apartment,  when,  quickening  their  movements,  they 
soon  reached  the  seventh  story.  Now,  as  like  a  pyr- 
amid, the  building  diminished  in  bulk  as  it  increased 
in  height,  the  top  was  so  small  that  theycould  but  just 
pass  through  the  small  aperture  into  the  httle  room, 
which,  fortunately,  was  in  such  a  dilapidated  state, 
,hat  the  roof  near  the  central  pole  or  spire,  which  ran 
•ip  the  interior  from  the  base  to  the  apex,  and  was 
surmoimted  by  a  kind  of  large  button,  was  near- 
ly off. 

Once  in  this  room,  they  set  about  fortifying  their 
position,  by  pulling  up  a  few  of  the  loose  flooring- 
boards  and  throwing  them  over  the  well  hole  by 
which  they  had  entered.  It  was  a  happy  thought, 
for  as  they  were  laying  the  last  board  over  the  hole, 
they  saw  the  soldier  upon  the  first  round  of  the  top 
ladder.  In  a  moment  they  squatted  down  with  their 
whole  weight  upon  the  boards,  and  as  the  aperture 
was  so  small  that  but  one  man  could  ever  attempt  to 
pass  through  at  a  time,  they  were  secure. 

For  at  least  two  hours  they  remained  in  that  posi* 


A  DANGEKOUS   DESCENT.  Ill 

tion,  which  proved  such  a  formidable  obstacle  to  the 
entrance  of  the  man,  that  tired  out,  he  determined  to 
consult  with  his  companions  as  to  some  other  means 
of  destroying  the  boys.  Then,  leaving  Chow  upon 
the  boards  watching  through  a  hole  for  the  man's 
next  attempt  to  force  their  position,  Nicholas  ascend- 
ed through  a  hole  in  the  crumbhng  roof,  looked 
around  for  some  few  minutes,  then  descending,  said, 
"We  will  escape  from  the  roof." 

"  Where  are  our  Avings,  O,  my  master  ?  for  without 
them  we  shall  become  very  small  pieces  of  broken 
china  by  the  time  we  reach  the  bottom,"  said  the  as- 
tonished Chow. 

"  In  our  garments,"  said  Nicholas,  taking  off  his 
robes  and  tearing  the  inner  one  into  narrow  slips, 
which  being  sufficient  explanation  for  Chow,  he  fol- 
lowed his  master's  example,  and  by  plaiting  them 
together  they  managed  to  form  a  long  rope  with 
loops  for  hand  holes  at  intervals. 

The  manufacture  of  this  rope  took  them  some 
hours,  durmg  which  time  they  expected  every  minute 
that  the  enemy  would  attempt  to  force  the  entrance 
with  a  great  log  of  wood  or  bar  iron ;  fortimately, 
however,  little  dreaming  that  there  was  the  most  re- 
mote possibihty  of  escape  for  the  boys,  the  enemy 
had  resolved  to  starve  them  into  a  surrender. 

It  was  near  dusk  when  they  had  completed  their 
labor.  Nothing  could  be  better,  for  if  they  could  es- 
cape now  they  would  reach  the  town  before  the 
closing  of  the  gates;  therefore,  resolving  upon  the 
attempt,  they  pulled  aside  one  of  the  boards  and  lis 


112  THE  WAH  TIGER. 

teued  again.  Fortune  was  in  their  favor,  for,  by  the 
conversation  that  was  going  on  among  the  men,  they 
heard,  that,  tired  of  waiting,  the  soldier  was  gone  in 
search  of  some  heavy  mstrument  that  would  force  an 
entrance.  Then  Nicholas  longed  for  a  couple  of  big 
bamboos,  that  they  might  fight  their  way  through 
them ;  not,  however,  being  able  to  command  the  use 
of  such  weapons,  they  determined  to  make  use  of 
the  rope  the  minute  the  men  returned. 

Having  arrived  at  this  determination,  Nicholas  re- 
ascended  the  roof  and  watched  until  he  saw  the  sol- 
dier coming  toward  the  pagoda,  carrying  a  huge 
block  of  wood,  when  throwing  the  rope  around  the 
centre  column  or  spire,  so  that  they  could  pull  it  after 
them,  leaving  no  trace  of  their  means  of  escape,  he 
signaled  to  Chow  to  follow.  He  swung  on  to  the 
rope,  keeping  both  ends  in  his  hands,  and  lowered 
himself  on  to  the  projecting  canopy  or  fringe  of  the 
second  story,  and  by  a  swing  of  the  body  reached  the 
terrace,  where  he  waited  for  Chow,  whose  legs  he 
guided  in  his  descent,  after  which  they  pulled  down 
the  rope,  and  by  performing  the  same  feat  at  each 
story,  reached  the  ground  at  the  portion  of  the 
building  opposite  to  the  door,  and  as  he  had  calcu- 
lated, where  there  were  no  openings  by  which  they 
could  be  seen  from  within. 

Once  upon  the  ground,  Chow  gave  a  caper  of  joy, 
and  proposed  to  scamper  off  immediately.  Nicholas, 
however,  having  effected  the  escape,  like  a  wise  gen- 
eral, wished  to  protect  his  retreat  from  pursuit.  To 
do  this,  they  entered  the  lower  apartment  of  the  pa- 


A  DAJS^GEROUS   DESCENT.  113 

goda,  which,  as  they  had  expected,  they  found  empty ; 
then  ascending  the  next  story,  they  could  see  the 
enemy  above  them  in  consultation.  It  was  the  story 
with  the  loose  ladder.  So  removing  their  only  means 
of  descent,  they  carried  it  with  them  some  distance 
from  the  pagoda,  and  hastened  toward  the  town, 
heartily  rejoicing  at  the  success  of  their  scheme,  and 
laughing  merrily  at  the  plight  of  their  pursuers,  who, 
when  found  in  the  pagoda,  would  be  punished  as 
thieves,  or  if  they  dared  to  explain  the  cause  of  their 
presence  in  the  pagoda,  would  be  severely  bambooed 
for  not  informing  the  nearest  mandarin  of  the  escape 
of  such  an  important  prisoner  as  the  runaway 
Christian. 

As  they  reached  the  city  just  before  the  closing  of 
the  gates,  they  found  so  many  persons  hastening  tc 
tlieir  homes,  that  they  passed  through  without  being 
noticed,  and  speedily  procured  a  lodging  at  the  near 
est  inn. 


8 


114  THE   WAR   TIGER. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

NICHOLAS    DISCOVEES    A   CON"SPIRACY,   AND   MAKES   AN 
UNPLEASANT  ENTRY   INTO   PEKIN. 

The  next  morning  tliey  laughed  heartily  when  the 
innkeeper  told  them  that  the  bonzes  of  the  monastery 
in  the  suburbs  had  taken  some  rogues  who  had  been 
found  concealed  in  the  pagoda  before  the  police  tri- 
bunal, and  that  the  mandarin  had  ordered  all  of  them 
a  severe  bambooing. 

Greatly  as  he  enjoyed  this  news,  Nicholas  was  too 
wise  to  wish  to  remain  in  the  city  any  longer  than 
possible,  for  he  knew  that  the  enraged  junk  captain 
would  leave  no  effort  untried  to  retake  them;  he, 
therefore,  engaged  a  passage  for  himself  and  Chow 
in  a  barge  that  was  proceeding  to  Tching-Kiang.. 

Once  on  board  the  passage  boat  and  floating  down 
along  the  royal  canal,  they  felt  secure,  for  surely  no 
mishap  could  now  happen  to  interrupt  their  journey; 
and  so,  indeed,  they  arrived  at  Tching-Eaang,  where, 
as  this  city  was  on  the  banks  of  the  Yang-tse,  which 
here  interrupts  the  course  of  the  canal,  they  were 
compelled  to  disembark  and  remain  one  night. 

The  next  morning  Nicholas  sent  Chow  to  purchase 
a  sword,  a  bow,  and  some  arrows,  in  place  of  those 
taken  from  him  in  the  prison.     During  his  absence, 


CONSPIRACY — PEKIN.  115 

he  sat  talking  to  the  wife  of  the  innkeeper,  for 
amongst  the  lower  classes,  the  women  are  permitted 
to  have  greater  intercourse,  as  indeed  is  necessary, 
to  enable  them  to  assist  in  earning  the  family  living. 
He  had  not  been  chatting  for  any  length  of  time 
when  thei*e  arose  a  great  hubbub  in  the  street,  and, 
looking  out  of  the  window,  what  was  his  surprise  to 
see  Chow  running,  as  if  for  his  life,  followed  by  an 
old  gentleman,  who  stopped  every  now  and  then  to 
take  breath  and  shake  his  fists  angrily  at  the  mob, 
who,  believing  it  to  be  a  race,  shouted  for  mere  fun. 
A  glance,  however,  made  Nicholas  aware  of  the  true 
character  of  the  pursuer,  and  he  begged  of  the  woman 
to  aid  him  in  saving  the  life  of  his  friend,  who  was 
being  hunted  by  a  madman,  who  if  he  caught  him,  he 
would  kill  him. 

Before  she  could  reply.  Chow  ran  up  to  the  door ; 
the  woman  opened  it,  let  him  in,  and  shut  it  again  in 
the  face  of  the  old  gentleman,  whose  stomach,  being 
of  extreme^  protuberance  and  what  his  countrymen 
call  full  measure,  received  such  a  blow  that,  what 
with  loss  of  breath  and  fullness  of  indignation,  his 
big  body  toppled  over  his  short  legs,  and  he  lay  upon 
the  ground  with  his  little  head  turned  upward,  like 
a  turtle  gasping  at  falling  heat  drops. 

"Truly  we  are  lost,  for  the  old  rat  is  the  physi 
cian,"  said  Chow. 

"  Can  the  worthy  woman  aid  us?"  said. Nicholas, 
fairly  baffled. 

"Let  the  youths  follow,"  said  the  good-natured 
woman :  adding:,  "  Whither  would  they  be  taken  ?" 


116  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

"To  the  river,"  replied  Nicholas,  not  knowing 
where  else  to  say. 

Then  conducting  them  to  the  back  of  the  house, 
where  stood  several  sedan  chairs  that  her  husband 
let  out  for  hire,  the  woman  told  them  to  jump  into  one 
of  them,  gave  instructions  to  two  Coohes  who  were 
waiting  for  a  job,  wished  them  a  prosperous  journey, 
drew  the  curtains,  and  thus,  in  about  an  hour's  time, 
the  boys  were  set  down  upon  the  banks  of  the  great 
Yang-tse,  when,  having  rewarded  the  Coolies  for 
their  trouble,  they  walked  leisurely  along  in  search 
of  a  boatmen  to  carry  them  to  the  opposite  side. 

"  Truly,  O  Chow,  thou  wert  born  in  an  imfortunate 
hour,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  My  master's  words  are  true ;  still,  the  hundred 
families'  lock  must  have  been  hung  around  thy  ser- 
vant's neck,  or  he  could  not  have  escaped  so  great  a 
danger  as  this." 

"  Open  thy  lips  to  a  good  purpose,  and  say  how 
this  matter  happened,"  said  Nicholas,  laughing. 

"  Well,  haviog  made  the  purchases,  I  came  to  the 
quay  where  the  passage-boats  discharge  their  pas- 
sengers, when,  may  I  be  punished  for  forgetting  my 
masters  affair,  I  could  think  of  nothing  but  the  vil- 
lain who  slew  my  noble  parent,  and  who,  I  thought, 
might  possibly  be  among  the  soldiers  who  had  just 
arrived  from  Pekin,  and  were  embarking  to  go  to 
Nankin,  which,  they  say,  is  even  now  besieged  by 
the  rebels.  The  notion,  fit  only  as  it  was  for  the  head 
of  a  goose,  could  not  be  helped,  and  I  stood  ga2dng  at 
the  war-tigers.    Well,  thy  servant  had  not  been  long 


CONSPIRAGY — PEKIN.  117 

looking,  when  an  old  gentleman  seized  him  by  the 
arm,  saying,  '  Thou  dog,  thou  stolest  both  my  pa- 
tient and  my  gen-seng ;  and,  seeing  that  it  was  the 
physician,  I  jerked  off  his  hand,  took  to  my  heels, 
and,  fearing  for  the  safety  of  my  master  should  the 
crowd  stop  me,  I  frightened  them  by  calling  out, 
'  Beware,  my  brethren,  of  the  madman,'  and  as  that 
made  the  frightened  people  stand  aside,  I  was  enabled 
to  reach  the  inn  in  safety." 

"  Truly  this  was  well  done,"  said  Nicholas ;  but 
as,  at  that  moment,  they  had  arrived  at  a  great 
swamp  of  paddy,  or  rice-fields,  which  stretched  for 
miles  inland  down  to  the  very  edge  of  the  riA^er,  and 
was  covered  with  water  of  sufficient  depth  to  enable 
the  shallow  boats  to  sail  for  miles  into  the  interior, 
their  progress  was  stopped,  when  Nicholas  said,  as  he 
pointed  to  a  multitude  of  men,  women,  and  cliildren, 
who,  at  some  little  distance,  with  their  trousers 
tucked  up  to  the  knees,  appeared  to  be  amusing  them- 
selves with  paddling  about  in  the  water,  "  Let  us 
catch  the  eyeballs  of  one  of  yonder  shrimp  hun- 
ters." 

These  people  were  a  species  of  jacks-in-the-water, 
who,  as  they  stalked  about  every  now  and  then  pulled 
their  legs  out  of  the  mud,  and  taking  something  from 
it,  deposited  it  in  a  small  bag  which  they  had  by 
their  sides.  They  were  mud  fishers  in  search  for 
prawn,  shrimps,  and  other  small  fish,  which,  when  felt 
by  the  foot,  they  dexterously  seized  between  the  toes. 
This  is  only  one  instance  in  whicb  these  poor  people 
show  themselves  as  clever  with  the  foot  as  the  hand 


118  THE   WAR   TIGER. 

and  another  proof  of  the  old  axiom,  that  necessity  ia 
the  mother  of  invention. 

For  some  time  they  endeavored  to  call  the  atten- 
tion of  one  of  these  people  without  avail ;  then,  hold- 
ing up  a  copper  coin  and  shouting,  a  man  came  to 
them,  and  soon  after  fetched  a  boatman,  who,  for  a 
small  sum,  engaged  to  row  them  in  search  of  a  ferry- 
boat. 

The  little  boat  paddled  through  the  fields,  past  men 
engaged  in  wild  geese  catching,  and  huge  duck  boats, 
from  the  sides  of  which,  down  inclined  boards,  hun- 
dreds of  those  birds  were  waddling  into  the  fields, 
as  mdustriously  earning  their  living  among  the  rice 
stubble  as  the  mud  fishers. 

These  duck  keepers  are  a  class  peculiar  to  the 
Chinese.  Their  boats  are  large  and  roomy,  with  a 
broad  board  extending  around  the  sides  for  a  promen- 
ade for  the  birds,  which  are  as  dear  to  their  masters 
as  the  pig  is  to  the  Irishman.  The  birds  have  the 
largest  apartment  of  the  floating  house.  In  the  morn- 
ing the  ducks  waddle  round  the  promenade  at  their 
pleasure,  except  after  the  rice  harvest  has  been  gath- 
ered, when  the  boards  are  inclined,  and  they  walk  up 
and  down  the  slope  at  their  will ;  and  so  well  are 
they  brought  up,  that,  if  hundreds  of  them  are  out 
upon  a  cruise,  they  will  instantly  return  to  the  boat 
at  their  master's  whistle. 

Once  in  the  boat,  Nicholas  had  no  wish  to  leave  it, 
till  he  had  crossed  the  river.  This  he  had  some  difli- 
sulty  in  persuading  the  man  to  do,  for  it  was  three 
leagues  broad  at  that  part.     The  sight,  however  of  a 


CONSPIRACY — PEKIN.  119 

piece  of  silver  strengthened  his  courage,  and,  fixing  up 
his  little  sail  of  bamboo  matting,  he  made  the  attempt, 
when,  after  some  hours,  they  reached  the  opposite 
banks,  dismissed  the  boatman,  and  felt  as  pleased  as 
a  fugitive  between  whom  and  the  bloodhounds  a  vast 
water  track  has  passed. 

Having  crossed  the  great  river,  they  had  no  fear 
of  further  pursuit,  so,  hiring  two  sedan  chairs,  they 
reached  Kui-Chow  the  same  evening.  The  next 
morning  they  again  took  passage  upon  the  Royal 
Canal,  down  which  they  traveled  for  some  days,  till 
they  arrived  at  Yang-Chow,  a  city  celebrated  for  its 
manufacture  of  salt  and  singing  girls.  These  poor 
creatures  are  matter  of  commerce  with  the  mer- 
chants, Avho  have  taught  them  to  sing,  paint,  and 
play  on  musical  instruments,  when  they  can  seU 
them  for  very  large  sums  of  money  to  the  great 
lords,  who  purchase  them  for  the  recreation  of  their 
households. 

Resting  at  this  city  for  one  day,  they  again  started 
upon  their  journey,  and  in  a  few  weeks  arrived  at 
Tien-Sing,  from  which  place  they  proceeded  by  a 
small  canal  to  Tsing-Chow,  the  nearest  place  to  Pekin, 
where  they  landed. 

"Thanks  be  to  Tien,  my  master,  we  shall  soon  be. 
in  the  venerable  city  itself." 

"Thou  art  fond  of  Pekin,  Chow?" 

"  The  tombs  of  thy  seiwant's  ancestors  are  near  its 
walls,"  said  Chow,  gloomily. 

"  Why,  in  the  name  of  the  social  relations,  art  thoa 
as  dull  as  a  tailless  peacock  ?"  said  Nicholas. 


120  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

"  It  is  filial  pity,  for  last  niglit  I  dreamt  that  I 
should  discover  in  Pekiu  the  dog  who  slew  my  veu- 
erable  parent,  and  should  I  die  without  searching 
him  out,  the  tombs  of  my  ancestors  would  refuse  to 
hold  me." 

"  These  are  wild  words  and  foolish  fancies.  Chow," 
said  Nicholas ;  adding,  as  he  beheld  the  boy  stare  in 
the  faces  of  the  passers-by,  "  Moreover,  if  thy  man- 
ners are  so  barbarous,  thou  wilt  surely  get  into 
trouble ;  and,  believing  that  occupation  or  a  mission 
would  drive  these  thoughts  from  Chow's  mind,  he 
stopped  at  the  house  of  a  dealer  in  horses,  and,  hav- 
ing bargained  for  two,  said,  "  Thou  art  well  informed 
of  the  ins  and  outs  of  Pekin,  Chow  ?" 

"  Every  rat-hole,  my  master,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Then  for  fear  that  the  hour  may  be  too  late  ere  I 
reach  the  city,  take  one  of  these  horses  and  hasten  to 
the  great  square,  where  thou  wilt  find  one  Yang,  a 
wealthy  merchant ;  seek  his  presence,  and  inform  him 
that  the  son  of  his  correspondent,  the  great  merchant 
of  the  south,  would  beg  a  lodging  of  him  while  he 
remains  in  the  capital." 

"Thy  commands  shall  be  obeyed,"  said  Chow, 
turning  a  sumersault  on  to  the  back  of  one  of  the 
horses,  and  in  another  instant  was  at  ftdl  gallop 
toward  Pekin. 

Nicholas  then  sought  a  house  of  refreshment,  and, 
having  regaled  himself  with  a  cup  of  hot  tea  and  rice 
cakes,  mounted  the  other  animal,  intending  to  follow 
Chow. 

The  distance,  however,  was  longer  than  he  had  cal- 


CONSPIRACY — PEKIN.  121 

culatod ;  moreover  he  took  the  longest  road,  so  that 
by  the  time  he  reached  within  view  of  the  walls, 
towers,  and  yellow  roofs,  of  the  imperial  city,  the 
gates  were  closed  for  the  night,  and  none  would  be 
permitted  to  pass  without  a  searching  scrutiny  ;  so^ 
although  much  vexed,  he  determined  to  seek  a  lodg^ 
ing  at  an  inn  he  had  passed  on  the  road.  How- 
evei*,  the  innkeeper  addressing  him,  rudely  said, 
"How  is  this,  that  a  mere  boy  should  be  without 
the  walls  at  this  hour  ?  Has  he  no  respect  for  his 
parents,  who  will  assuredly  be  punished  for  their 
neglect  ?" 

"  Is  the  worthy  innkeeper  of  barbarian  parents, 
that  he  would  refuse  to  lodge  a  youth,  who,  tired  and 
weary,  has  but  just  arrived  from  a  long  journey,  and 
is  wilUng  to  pay  handsomely  ?"  said  Nicholas,  show- 
ing him  about  an  ounce  of  silver. 

"Truly  the  vision  of  thy  servant  must  have  been 
dull,  that  he  could  not  before  perceive  that  the  youth 
before  him  was  nobly  allied  and  of  great  respecta- 
bility," said  the  man,  now  that  he  greedily  eyed  the 
precious  metal.  "  Yet,"  he  added,  "  it  is  not  possible 
that  the  noble  youth  can  lodge  beneath  this  roof,  for 
the  inn  is  already  crowded  with  merchants,  who 
enter  Pekin  at  daylight." 

"  Then  will  I  trouble  the  most  perfect  of  inn- 
keepers no  longer,"  replied  Nicholas,  beheving  the 
man  to  be  an  extortioner. 

"  The  words  of  thy  servant  are  as  true  as  the  sa- 
cred books,  but  if  the  noble  youth  will  bestow  a  feo 
upon  the  porter  he  can  procure  a  lodging  at  you 


122  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

mansion,"  replied  the  man,  as  he  pointed  to  a  large 
house  near  the  inn. 

"  What  words  are  these  ?  Yonder  mansion  is  the 
palace  of  some  noble  mandarin,  who  will  desei'vedly 
chastise  thee  for  thy  insolence  in  making  his  house  a 
common  inn." 

"  Not  so,  O  noble  youth,  for  although  the  front  is 
fair  to  look  at,  the  house  is  in  ruins  and  under  the 
care  of  a  porter.  The  mandaiin  is  in  a  far  distant 
province,  if,  indeed,  as  is  reported,  he  is  not  at  this 
moment  19  rebellion  against  the  Emperor." 

"  Tien  forbid  that  a  true-born  Chinese  should  soil 
the  soles  of  his  boots  with  the  dust  of  a  traitor's 
door  stone,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  Thy  servant  said  it  was  but  rumored,  O  loyal 
youth,"  replied  the  innkeeper ;  adding  angrily,  "  Tru- 
ly if  thou  refusest  this  thou  wilt  get  none  other 
lodging." 

"  Truly  it  may  be  but  scandal,  therefore  show  me 
to  this  porter,  and  thou  shalt  be  rewarded  for  thy 
trouble,"  replied  Nicholas. 

The  innkeeper  then  conducting  him  to  one  of  the 
smaller  of  the  three  doors  in  the  wall  of  respect, 
which,  as  with  all  the  houses  of  the  great,  are  built 
before  the  house,  summoned  the  porter,  who  for  a 
piece  of  silver  took  charge  of  his  liorse,  introduced 
him  into  a  small  room,  wliich  led  from  one  side  of  the 
great  central  hall,  and  leaving  him  a  sleeping  mat 
withdrew,  when  Nicholas  laid  himself  at  full  length, 
glad  enough  to  get  the  opportunity  of  getting  a  good 
night's  rest. 


CONSPIRACY — PEKIF  123 

Nicholas  hail  not  slept  long  before  he  was  awakened 
by  the  sound  of  voices,  which  he  could  hear  so  clear- 
ly and  distinctly  that  he  knew  it  proceeded  from  soma 
adjoining  room.  More  vexed,  however,  at  the  dis- 
turbance than  curious  to  listen  to  the  conversation, 
he  turned  over  and  tried  to  sleep,  but  then  the  tones 
became  louder,  and  he  fancied  he  heard  his  father's 
name.  If  so,  it  evidently  concerned  him ;  therefore 
in  self-defence,  he  must  listen ;  and,  setting  up  on  his 
mat,  he  saw  that  he  was  in  a  double  room  divided 
by  folding  doors,  between  the  crevices  of  which  came 
a  glimmering  light,  so  creeping  softly  forward,  he 
peeped  through.  There  at  a  table,  beneath  a  painted 
lantern,  the  light  from  which  played  uj^on  their  faces, 
sat  two  men  of  tall  stature  and  soldier-like  appear- 
ance, but  neither  of  whom  could  he  at  first  recog- 
nise. A  minute  more,  however,  and  he  fancied  that 
in  one  he  could  trace  familiar  features ;  still  he  could 
not  recall  ihem  to  his  memory.  He  listened  atten- 
tively, for  the  taller  man  spoke  earnestly  for  some 
time  of  such  matters  that  made  the  boy  burn  with 
rage  and  horror.  When  he  had  concluded,  the  other 
smiled  and  said,  "Truly,  O  illustrious  prince,  we  have 
secured  the  ambitious  pirate  of  the  south.  May  the 
time  for  action  speedily  arrive."  No  sooner  had  he 
spoken,  tliau,  like  a  glimpse  of  light  in  a  cavern,  the 
recognition  flashed  across  the  boy's  mind.  The  last 
speaker  was  the  mandarin  envoy  Avho  had  visited  his 
father's  vessel,  and  he  trembled  for  the  safety  of  the 
Emperor's  letter.  It  was  consolatory,  however,  that 
should  they  meet,  the  mandarin  would  not  know 


124:  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

him,  for  they  had  not  met  on  board  the  vessel.  Wlien 
the  mandarin  had  spoken,  his  companion  said,  "  Hush, 
general!  no  tiles,  for  walls  may  have  ears;  but 
enough,  I  am  satisfied."  Then  after  whispering  to- 
gether for  some  little  time,  they  arose,  and  Nicholas 
crept  back  to  his  mat.  The  moment  after  to  his 
horror,  the  doors  were  thrown  open,  and  the  prince 
exclaimed,  "  How !  we  are  betrayed ;  what  rogue 
is  this?" 

"  Silence,  my  prince,  he  sleeps,  and  can  have  heard 
nothing,"  said  the  other,  cutting  down  the  lantern 
from  the  other  room  and  holding  it  before  the  pre- 
tending sleeper,  who,  notwithstanding  his  perilous 
position,  did  not  move  a  muscle.  The  boy,  however, 
had  a  harder  trial  yet,  for  drawing  his  dagger,  the 
prince  exclaimed,  "  True,  general,  he  may  not  have 
heard — but,  he  may — and  as  dead  dogs  can't  bark — " 
but,  as  the  prince  was  about  to  strike,  and  the  brave 
boy  was  mentally  preparing  to  clutch  at  the  weapon, 
with  both  hands,  the  mandarin  caught  the  arm  of  the 
would-be  assassin,  led  him  into  the  other  room,  whis- 
pered with  him,  and  then  they  both  left  the  house,  after 
seciu'ing  all  the  doors  from  the  outer  side. 

Bathed  in  a  cold  sweat,  Nicholas  arose  and  exam- 
ined the  room,  to  find  some  means  of  escape,  for  he 
little  doubted  that  they  would  speedily  return.  It 
was  useless,  and  he  made  up  his  mind  to  await  the 
chapter  of  accidents.  For  some  time  fear  kept  him 
awake,  but  at  length  nature  would  have  her  way  and 
he  fell  off  to  sleep. 

When  he  awoko  he  found  a  party  of  yah-yu  and 


CONSPIRACY — PEKIN.  I'j5 

the  porter  of  the  house  at  his  side  ;  the  latter  looking 
at  him  maliciously,  said,  "  Take  the  vile  dog  before 
the  police  tribunal,  he  is  a  thief  and  a  rogue." 

"  Silence,  rascal !  for  thou  knowest  that  I  am  no 
thief,  but   a  traveler  who  paid  thee  for  a  night's 
odging." 

"  Away  with  the  young  rogue,"  said  the  porter ; 
and,  bm«mg  mm  haua  an^  tou*,  xs  ic jo  as  wat  niav  e 
to  make  his  first  entry  into  Pekin  amid  the  shouts  of 
the  rabble,  who  were  delighted  that  so  vile  a  house- 
breaker and  thief  should  be  cauajht. 


126  THE  WAR  TIGER 


CHAPTER  XYI. 

IHK  BOYS  AGAIN  IN  TROUBLE. 

Smarting  with  indignation  at  the  accusation,  which 
liad  evidently  been  made  for  the  purpose  of  getting 
him  transported  to  the  penal  province,  Nicholas  was 
taken  before  the  pohce  mandarin  like  a  common  thief. 
When,  however,  they  reached  the  tribunal,  they  found 
the  magistrate  engaged  examining  witnesses  on  the 
part  of  a  military  mandarin  who  had  been  insulted 
in  the  public  streets.  "  Let  the  worthy  officer  state 
his  complaiat,"  said  the  mandarin. 

"  Know,  O  fountain  of  justice,"  said  the  officer,  join- 
ing his  hands  above  his  head,  and  bowing  nearly  to 
the  ground  three  successive  times,  "that  as  thy  ser- 
vant was  riding  through  the  great  square,  a  young 
man,  possessed  either  with  demons  or  samshu,  jump- 
ed so  rudely  before  me  that  I  stumbled  and  fell  to 
the  earth,  and  when  he  stared  me  full  in  the  face  like 
a  hungry  wolf,  I  remonstrated,  but  the  rascal  held 
me  down,  continuing  to  stare  with  glaring  eyeballs ; 
he  then  tore  the  plaster  from  this  woimd  which  I 
received  on  my  cheek  in  fighting  the  rebels  of  Chen- 
si,  and  began  to  dance  round  me  most  frantically  with 
a  drawn  sword,  crying,  'Thou  villain,  slayer  of  hon- 
est folks'  parents,  I  have  found  thee  at  last,  and  wU] 


THE  BOYS  IN  TROUBLE.  127 

cut  thee  into  pieces  small  enough  for  mince  pies.' 
Alarmed  at  this  violent  rudeness,  I  could  but  say, 
"  Hold,  dog,  I  am  a  soldier  of  the  Emperor."  '  Ah, 
ah !  I  know  thou  art,  thou  villain,'  said  he.  'I  have 
received  a  wound,'  said  thy  servant.  'Ah,  ah!  I 
know  thou  hast,  thou  villain,'  again  said  the  madman. 
'  Begone,  dog,  what  wouldst  thou  do  ?'  said  I.  '  Slay 
thee,  and  burn  thy  house,  even  as  thou  didst  my 
parents,  villain;'  whereupon  the  rascal  would  have 
slain  thy  servant  upon  the  instant  but  for  the  timely 
aid  of  this  good  merchant  Yang,"  said  the  soldier, 
pointing  to  a  stout  elderly  man  who  stood  by  his 
side. 

Now,  guessing  at  once  that  this  terrible  prisoner 
must  be  Chow,  Nicholas  felt  no  surprise  when  he  saw 
the  jx)or  fellow,  with  his  arms  tied  behind  him, 
dragged  before  the  mandarin,  who  said,  "What  says 
the  murdering  thief  to  this  charjre  ?" 

"What  can  the  unfortunate  Chow  say,  most  bene- 
ficent father  and  mother  of  justice,  but  that  it  was 
all  a  mistake,  and  that  thy  unworthy  slave  has  ever 
been  taught  that  no  man  should  exist  beneath  the 
same  heaven  with  the  murderer  of  his  parents  ?"  said 
Chow,  as  he  cast  some  comical  glances  at  the  bamboo 
canes. 

"  What  words  are  these  ?  What  has  this  most 
wise  maxim  to  do  with  thy  case,  fellow  ?"  said  the 
mandarin. 

"  Much,  O  magnificent  judge,  for  thy  slave's  father 
was  destroyed  by  the  chief  officer  of  the  rebel  Li- 
Kong,   whom  this  worthy   war-tiger   unfortunately 


128  THE  "WAR  TIGER. 

resembles,  both  in  the  wound  on  the  cheek,  and  the 
length  of  his  hair." 

"  If  thy  words  are  not  false,  then  thou  art  a  wor- 
thy but  unfortunate  servant  of  the  holy  lord  our 
Emperor,"  said  the  mandaria ;  "  but  who  wiU  assure 
us  of  this  ?' 

"Truly  will  I,  O  learned  judge,"  cried  out 
"Nicholas. 

"  Who  is  this  dog,  that  speaks  without  prostrating 
his  mean  person  at  the  feet  of  justice?"  said  the 
mandarin. 

"  A  thief  and  a  rascal,  who  is  awaiting  to  be  tried," 
cried  the  porter  who  had  accused  Nicholas. 

"  By  the  beard  of  Confucius,  this  is  daring ;  give 
the  dog  a  dozen  strokes,"  said  the  mandarin. 

"Stay  thy  command,  O  running  fountain  of  jus- 
tice ^  let  not  thy  celestial  ears  be  profanely  filled  by 
the  tongues  of  dogs,"  shrieked  Chow  with  fear,  as 
soon  as  he  saw  that  his  master  was  a  prisoner. 

The  mandarin  would  have  visited  this  daring  inter- 
ruption with  a  heavy  punishment,  but  for  some  words 
whispered  in  his  ears  by  the  merchant  Yang,  and 
which  caused  him  to  smile  and  say,  "  The  honorable 
merchant  Yang  has  answered  for  thy  truth  boy ;  but 
that  for  the  future  you  may  not  be  liable  to  such 
mistakes,  we  wiU  give  thee  a  fatherly  correction." 
The  mandarin  then  pulled  fifty  reeds  from  the  case, 
and  threw  them  upon  the  floor,  whereupon  two  of 
the  footmen  caught  hold  of  Chow,  took  oflf  his  robe, 
and  held  him  on  the  floor,  while  another  administered 
fifty  blows,  after  which  Chow  got  upon  his  legs,  made 


THE  BOYS  IN  TEOUBLE.  129 

a  very  wry  face,  and  twisted  and  writhed  about  like  an 
eel  making  an  effort  to  walk  upon  the  tip  of  his  tail. 
"Leave  off  twisting  and  twirling  thyself  out  of 
nature,  thou  dog,  and  retui-n  thanks  to  his  high  jus- 
ticeship for  his  kindness  in  correcting  so  miserable  an 
affair  as  thy  mean  self,"  said  one  of  the  footmen. 

With  one  eye  glaring  upon  the  footman,  and  the 
other  smiling  upon  the  mandarin.  Chow  held  his 
hands  behind  his  back  to  assuage  the  pain,  and  made 
two  or  three  attempts  to  bend  his  back,  but  faUing, 
dropped  suddenly  on  his  knees,  and  bowing  his  head 
to  the  ground,  said,  but  with  a  twist  of  his  back  or 
grimace  between  every  word,  "Thy  correction — O 
father — and  mother — of  justice,  is  beneficial,  but*  like 
phy.sic  would  be ^" 

"  What,  boy  ?"  said  the  mandarin,  laughing. 

"  More  agreeable  if  it  were  tasteless,  yet  thy  mean 
servant  thanks  thee,  noble  judge,  for  this  care  of  his 
mind ;"  and  Chow  hopped  among  the  bystanders. 

When  Chow  had  been  disposed  of,  the  porter  for- 
merly charged  Nicholas  with  entering  the  mansion  at 
night  for  the  purpose  of  robbery. 

"  Who  art  thou  boy ;  thy  name,  surname,  and  from 
what  province?"  said  the  mandarin  kindly. 

"  The  mean  name  of  thy  unworthy  servant  is 
Nicholas,  of  the  province  of  Fokien,  from  whence  he 
has  traveled  on  special  affairs  to  a  worthy  merchant 
of  Pckin,  named  Yang." 

"  So  far  thy  words  are  truth,"  said  the  mandarin, 
to  the  astonishment  of  Nicholas ;  "  but  what  answer 
can  the  youth  make  to  the  charge  of  this  man  ?" 
9 


130   •  THE   WAE  TIGER. 

"  That  it  is  vile  and  false,  and  that  the  dog  is  a  trai- 
tor in  league  with  rebels,  who  happening  to  meet 
with  thy  servant  last  night  at  the  same  house,  are 
fearful  that  he  may  have  discovered  their  plots,  and 
80  hope  to  destroy  him." 

At  that  moment  there  arose  a  great  bustle  in  the 
court,  and  a  cry  of  "  Make  way  for  the  illustrious 
deputy-general  of  the  nine  gates,"  and  a  military 
mandarin,  with  a  tiger  painted  on  his  breast,  a  gold 
button  and  a  peacock's  feather  in  his  cap,  both  of 
which  bespoke  his  high  rank,  entered  the  tribunal, 
and  testified  to  the  guilt  of  Nicholas,  who  recogniz- 
ing in  hira  the  man  who  had  been  addressed  the  pre- 
vious night  by  the  title  of  general,  exclaimed,  "Be- 
hold,  O  Mandarin,  one  of  the  traitors." 

Great  was  the  eifect  of  the  new  comer  upon  the 
judge,  for,  not  paying  the  least  attention  to  the  excla- 
mation of  Nicholas,  he  said,  "  Truly  falsehood  wiU 
not  flow  from  the  lips  of  the  Heaven-appointed  dep- 
uty-general. As  for  thee  (turning  to  Nicholas,)  vilo 
dog,  as  thy  guilt  is  now  clear,  thou  shalt  receive  one 
hundred  blows,  and  be  banished  for  life." 

Now,  while  the  mandarin  was  speaking,  Chow 
happening  to  get  a  full  view  of  the  general's  face, 
rushed  through  the  crowd,  crying,  "  It  is  the  villain, 
it  is  the  destroyer  of  my  parents,'  and  in  another  mo- 
ment he  had  clutched  the  general  by  the  throat, 
thrown  him  upon  the  ground,  and  would  have 
strangled  him,  but  for  the  help  of  the  footmen,  who 
speedily  seized  him,  bound  his  arms,  and  carried  him 
vith  Nicholas  to  the  prison. 


THE  BOYS  IN  TROUBLE.  131 

"  This  fancy,  that  every  officer  you  meet  is  the  de- 
stroyer of  your  parents,  will  prove  thy  destruction, 
mj  poor  Chow,"  said  Nicholas,  as  soon  as  they  were 
alone  in  the  prison. 

"  There  can  be  no  doubt  it  is  the  villain,  for  saw 
you  not  the  wound  upon  his  cheek  ?  but,  alas !  my 
trouble  is  the  greater  that  I  slew  him  not  before  we 
were  shut  up  in  a  cage  like  two  dogs  for  fattening." 

"  Thy  liberty  at  least  was  secure,  but  for  thy  foolish 
attack  upon  the  mandarin  of  war." 

"  By  the  vermillion  pencil  itself,  Chow  cares  not 
for  liberty,  if  they  ruin  his  noble  master." 

Then  Nicholas  began  to  thmk  upon  his  miserable 
position, — sentenced  to  be  beaten  with  the  bamboo 
to  him  worse  than  death,  for,  being  born  upon  the 
coast,  unlike  most  Chinese,  he  had  never  been  sub- 
jected to  Buch  a  degradation  ;  and  then  to  be  banish- 
ed for  life,  at  the  very  commencement  of  his  career, — 
it  was  horrible.  Greater,  however,  was  his  anxiety 
for  the  safety  of  his  father's  letters.  Could  he 
but  send  a  message  to  the  merchant  Yang, — alas! 
that  was  impossible.  Should  he  give  it  to  Chow  ? 
No  ;  for  he  knew  not  what  punishment  awaited  the 
boy  for  assaulting  so  great  an  officer.  He  was  indeed 
at  his  wit's  end,  and  he  prayed  to  the  Almighty  for 
aid. 

"  Let  not  the  noble  Nicholas  be  so  sad,  for  truly 
the  gods  can  never  desert  the  innocent  and  unfortu- 
nate," said  Chow,  while  tears  of  affection  wetted  his 
cheeks ;  adding,  "  I  will  pray  of  them  to  take  my 
worthless  life  in  exchange  for  thy  Hberty." 


132  THE   WAR  TIGER, 

"  I  can  not,  do  not  doubt  thy  affection,  my  good 
Cliow,  but  place  not  my  iaith  in  these  foolish  deities ; 
there  is  but  One  true  God,  whose  Son  died  on  the 
cross  to  save  mankind,  and  in  Him  I  trust  in  my 
hour  of  difficulty," 

"My  master  is  of  the  religion  of  the  Fan-Kwi 
(foreign  devils.)  Will  their  god  aid  him  in  the  hour 
of  his  troubles?"  replied  Chow,  despondingly, 

"  Thou  wilt  see  Chow,"  replied  Nicholas,  angrily. 

"  Truly,  but  in  the  mean  time  the  bamboo  will  cut 
US  into  strips  hke  an  umbrella  in  a  storm,"  said 
Chow,  making  such  queer  contortions  and  grimaces, 
that  in  spite  of  his  troubles  Nicholas  could  not  help 
laughing,  "  Then,  he  added,  "  thy  servant  has  a 
scheme  that  will  save  thee,  ray  generous  master." 

"  Open  thy  lips,  O  wise  and  prudent  youth,"  said 
Nicholas, 

"  The  noble  Nicholas  has  a  father  ?" 

"Truly,  a  noble  one," 

"  Then,  as  Chow  has  neither  father,  mother,  nor 
aught  else,  but  hatred  for  his  father's  slayer  and  grat- 
itude to  the  presei'ver  of  his  life " 

"  What  words  are  these  ?"  said  Nicholas,  impar 
tiently, 

"The  good  Nicholas  has  money;  let  him  give  it 
to  Chow,  and  he  will  bribe  the  mandarin  to  slit  him 
into  ribbons  in  thy  stead,"  said  Chow,  seriously. 

"  Silence,  Chow !  this  scheme  of  thine  is  offensive,' 
said  Nicholas,  not  without  a  tear  at  the  boys  devotion. 

"  Alas !  of  what  use  is  a  friend  if  he  will  not  be 
serviceable  in  the  horn-  of  need?"  said  Chow. 


THE   BOYS   IN   TROUBLE  133 

Their  conversation  was  interrupted  by  the  opening 
of  the  door. 

"  It  is  the  ilhistrious  Yang  himself,  who  spoke  good 
words  to  the  boy-correcting  mandarin ;  may  he  be 
turned  into  a  bamboo  himself  in  the  next  world,"  ex 
claimed  Chow  with  a  writhe  of  remembrance. 

"  Thou  art  the  son  of  the  good  merchant,  my  cor- 
respondent ?"  said  Yang. 

"The  face  of  the  worthy  merchant,  is  welcome  in 
the  hour  of  difficulty,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  That  difficulty  is  past,  for  thou  art  released,"  re- 
plied Yang,  leading  him  to  a  covered  vehicle,  into 
which  Chow  followed,  and  all  three  proceeded  to  the 
merchant's  house,  where  they  found  a  substantial 
meal  awaiting  them,  a  portion  of  which  Chow  carried 
with  him  to  another  apartment. 

"  Will  the  venerable  Yang  say  by  what  fortunate 
chance  he  was  enabled  to  confer  upon  the  son  of  his 
correspondent  such  an  everlasting  debt  of  grati- 
tude !"  said  Nicholas. 

"  Know  then,  my  nephew,  for  my  nephew  thou  art, 
being  the  son  of  my  adopted  brother,  that  when  the 
comical  ape  Chow  brought  thy  message,  I  watched 
for  thy  coming  till  evening,  when  knowing  that  you 
could  not  pass  through  the  gates  that  night,  I  lodged 
Chow  in  my  house.  This  morning  I  went  to  meet  you, 
telling  Chow  to  follow  close  behind  my  chair.  Pass- 
ing through  the  great  square  we  met  with  the  mili- 
tary officer  whose  affiiir  took  us  to  the  tribunal,  where 
by  means  of  a  small  present  secretly  conveyed  to  the 
mandarin,  I  succeeded  in  getting  the  fooHsh  fellow 


L3-1  "  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

off  witli  a  mere  fiitherly  correction,  which  the  dispen 
ser  of  justice  was  compelled  to  give  him  for  form's 
sake.  This  affair  being  settled,  judge  my  horror  at 
finding  you  charged  with  so  fearful  a  crime.  How- 
ever, I  was  prepared ;  for  Chow,  while  listening  to 
his  own  accuser,  had  seen  you  in  the  custody  of  the 
yah-yu,  to  whom  I  went,  and  by  means  ot  a  bribe 
made  them  tell  me  the  reason  of  your  being  in  that 
plight.  When  I  had  learned  the  particulars,  I  whis- 
pered to  the  mandarin  that  I  would  present  him  with 
a  handsome  sum  in  silver  if  he  would  treat  you 
leniently.  But  when  the  favorite  general  of  the 
Prince  Li-Kong  appeared,  the  affair  took  another  turn, 
and  for  fear  of  losing  his  own  head,  the  mandarin  was 
compelled  to  condemn  you.  Yet,  sad  as  this  was,  it 
was  to  be  managed  with  money.  So  by  giving  a 
handsome  sum  to  an  already  condemned  criminal,  the 
poor  wretch  agreed  to  suff*er  in  your  place." 

"  How !  what  rascality  is  this  ?  Surely  the  mno- 
cent  shall  not  suffer.  The  mandarin  must  be  sought," 
said  Nicholas. 

"  Hist,  hint,  my  good  nephew  !  it  is  all  over ;  for, 
foreseeing  your  objection,  the  money  was  handed  over 
to  the  man's  family  and  he  himself  dispatched  at  once 
to  the  penal  settlement  for  condemned  criminals." 

"  It  is  a  vile  practice,  O  Yang,"  said  Nicholas  with 
disgust. 

"  It  is  a  common  one,"  replied  the  merchant ;  add- 
ing, "  but  what  brings  the  son  of  the  great  merchant 
to  Pekin?  he  is  young  to  be  entrusted  so  great  a 
•*oumey." 


THE   BOYS   IN  TROUBLE.  135 

"  Are  then  the  special  secrets  of  ray  noble  parent 
of  so  little  value  that  they  may  be  wafted  about  the 
very  air  of  this  vile  city  of  Pekin  ?"  said  Nicholas. 

"  Pardon  thy  servant,  O  noble  youth,  who  seeks  to 
know  thy  affairs  that  he  may  help  to  render  them 
prosperous." 

"The  worthy  Yang  must  forgive  the  haste  of  a 
boy  who  so  far  forgets  his  duty  to  his  elder,"  said 
Nicholas. 

That  night  the  boys  slept  at  Yang's  house. 


136  THE  WAR  TIGER. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

NlCnOI^S   RESOLVES  UPON  A  DANGEROUS  ADVENTUEB. 

The  following  morning  when  Nicholas  saw  the 
merchant,  he  said,  "Yesterday  the  worthy  Yang 
would  have  learned  the  object  of  my  visit  to  Pekin. 
I  would  gain  admittance  to  the  imperial  palace.  Will 
he  aid  me  ?" 

"Alas!  my  nephew,  nothing  can  be  more  difficult, 
for  it  is  crowded  with  bonzes,  and  I  fear  worse — re- 
bels, who  swarm  around  the  royal  person  hke  hor- 
nets; but  whom  seekest  thou  within  the  outer 
palaces  ?" 

"Even  the  Son  of  Heaven  himself,  at  the  feet  of 
whose  throne  I  would  kneel." 

"  Is  the  youth  bereft  of  his  senses  ?  does  he  not 
know  that  it  is  certain  death  to  pass  the  prohibited 
waU  of  the  inner  palace  ?" 

"  May  then  the  illustrious  Prince  "Woo-san-Kwei  be 
found  within  the  palace  ?"  asked  Nicholas. 

"  Nay,  even  if  thou  couldst  boast  the  friendship  of 
the  great  Woo-san-Kwei  thou  wouldst  not  be  safe. 
The  prince  is  too  honest  and  brave  to  be  much  in 
favor  just  now.  Wouldst  thou  be  safe,  youth,  thou 
must  seek  the  Prince  Li-Kong." 

"  The  vile  traitor,"  muttered  Nicholas  at  the  name. 


A  DANGEROUS  ADVENTUEE.       137 

"Hist,  hist!  thou  wilt  assuredly  lose  thy  head, 
boy,"  said  Yang,  placing  his  finger  ujDon  his  lips. 

"  Let  the  friend  of  the  merchant  of  the  south  open 
his  lips  to  a  purpose.  Can,  or  can  he  not,  aid  me  to 
gain  admittance  within  the  palace  ?  for  it  is  my 
father's  command  that  I  should  seek  the  Emperor  or 
the  Prince  Woo-san-Kwei,  and  at  the  peril  of  my  life 
he  must  be  obeyed,"  said  Nicholas  firmly. 

"  Since  thou  art  determined,  take  this,"  said  Yang 
placing  a  ring  on  the  boy's  finger  ;  adding,  "  It  will 
pass  thee  through  the  guards  of  the  outer  palaces  and 
courts  as  far  as  the  prohibited  wall,  and  then  pro- 
ceed no  further,  as  you  value  your  life,  but  await  the 
approach  of  one  of  the  ofiicers  of  the  guard,  to  w^hom 
you  must  show  that  ring,  and  tell  him  that  you  have 
business  with  the  red-girdled  Prince  Woo-sau-Kwei; 
further,  be  prudent,  or  thou  wilt  seek  thy  death." 

"  The  worthy  Yang  has  indeed  filled  me  with  gra- 
titude," said  Nicholas,  who  then  sent  Chow  for  a 
chair.  "When  the  boy  returned  he  asked  his  master 
to  what  part  of  the  city  he  would  be  carried. 

"  To  the  palace." 

"  By  the  five  social  relations  the  noble  Nicholas  is 
tired  of  this  world,  for  he  has  no  sooner  escaped  one 
death  than  he  seeks  another,"  said  Chow. 

"  "Wag  not  thy  foolish  tongue,  0  Chow,  but  if  thy 
heart  fails  thee  stay  behind." 

"And  leave  the  noble  Nicholas  to  go  to  the  world 
of  spirits  alone  ?  that  would  indeed  be  base.  No, 
no ;  Chow  will  follow ;  but  my  noble  master  has  for- 
gotten his  sword,  he  may  require  it,"  said  the  boy. 


138  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

"I  am  sufficiently  armed,"  replied  Nicholas  show 
ing  the  hilt  of  a  small  dagger  beneath  his  robe,  add 
mg,  "  Now  let  us  proceed." 

They  then  passed  through  the  streets,  which 
swarmed  with  people  who  were  as  busy  as  bees  in  a 
hive,  some  raakmg  purchases  of  itinerant  tradespeople, 
viewingthe  wonderful  feats  of  jugglers,  mountebanks, 
or  players,  listening  to  the  marvelous  narratives  ofvivd 
voce  novelists,  or  testing  their  fates  with  cheating  for- 
tune-tellers. As  they  approached  the  palace,  they  found 
crowds  of  people  gazing  at  the  great  observatory,  up- 
on the  top  of  which  the  astronomers  of  the  court,  in 
full  dress,  were  engaged  in  watching  the  heavens. 
When  they  arrived  at  the  wall  which  confined  the 
city  of  buildings  that  made  up  the  imperial  residence, 
Nicholas  dismissed  the  chairman,  and  they  passed 
into  the  first  court,  which  was  as  large  and  full  of 
houses  as  a  small  country  town.  It  took  half  an  hour 
to  walk  through ;  and  as  they  had  to  traverse  seven 
more  of  these  courts,  which  took  them  three  hours, 
you  may  imagine  the  great  extent  of  the  whole 
palace.  The  last  but  one  was  surrounded  with  the 
palaces  of  the  princes  of  the  red  gu'dle,  or  those  more 
distant  in  blood  from  the  throne.  This  court  was 
crowded  with  mandarins,  officers,  eunuchs,  and  sol- 
diers of  the  Emperor,  who  were  earnestly  peering 
through  telescopes  at  the  sun,  which  from  a  deep 
blood  red  became  yellow  and  dim,  and  gradually 
more  and  more  opaque,  till  the  whole  world  seemed 
to  be  enveloped  in  darkness,  and  darkness  blacker 
than  midnight,  for  there  was  no  moon. 


A  DANGEROUS  ADVENTURE.       139 

When  the  earth's  light  became  extinguished,  the 
mandarins  fell  flat  upon  their  faces,  moaning  aloud, 
while  the  noise  from  thousands  of  drums  shook  the 
very  walls. 

"  Let  us  fall  upon  our  faces,  O  my  master,  and  pray 
to  the  terrible  dragon,"  exclaimed  Chow,  suiting  the 
action  to  the  word,  and  endeavoring  to  drag  Nicho- 
las with  him.  As,  however,  Nicholas  was  averse  to 
this  superstition,  he  refused  to  comply,  and  stood 
looking  upon  the  people  as  if  they  had  been  perform- 
mg  for  his  especial  and  solitary  benefit. 

Whatever  was  the  superstition,  it  laid  firm  hold  of 
Chow,  who,  long  after  the  light  had  returned  to  the 
heavens  and  the  other  people  to  their  feet,  continued 
to  moan,  kick  his  legs,  and  knock  the  earth  with  his 
forehead.  At  length,  after  repeatedly  calling  to  him 
in  vain,  Nicholas  turned  him  upon  his  back,  when, 
opening  his  eyes  and  finding  the  light  had  returned, 
he  jumped  upon  his  feet,  and,  as  the  sweat  of  fear 
rolled  from  his  brow,  said,  "Thank  the  gods,  the 
greedy  monster  of  a  dragon  has  not  swallowed  the 
sun  and  moon.  O  master,  what  would  become  of  us 
all ;  what  would  become  of  day  and  night  vsdthout  the 
sun  and  moon  ?" 

"  Art  thou  foolish,  O  Chow,  to  believe  that  this 
echpse  was  caused  by  the  eiFoi*t  of  a  monster  diagon 
to  swallow  the  heavenly  luminaries  ?" 

"  'V\''ho  is  thy  servant,  O  noble  Nicholas,  that  he 
should  doubt,  when  learned  mandarins  believe  ?"  said 
Chow. 

"  Know,  O  Chow,  that  the  mandarins  believe  in 


140  TUE   WAR  TIGER. 

it  no  more  than  thy  master,  but  perform  a  ceremony 
handed  down  to  them  by  their  ancestors." 

When  the  peoj^le  Avho  had  been  praying  of  the 
dragon  not  to  swallow  the  poor  sun  and  moon  began 
to  disperse,  the  boys  continued  their  journey  till  they 
came  to  the  outer  or  prohibited  wall  of  the  inner 
palace,  when,  pointing  to  a  soldier  who  stood  at  the 
gate  with  a  naked  sabre  in  his  hand,  Chow  said. 
"  Look,  my  master,  to  pass  yon  tiger  of  war  will  be 
to  seek  Yen-Vang  in  the  other  woi'ld,"  and  at  the 
same  moment  the  soldier  said,  "  Are  the  slaves  tired 
of  their  lives  that  they  approach  the  prohibited  wall 
without  bowing  to  the  earth?" 

Having  performed  the  required  ceremony,  Nicho 
las  presented  the  merchant's  ring  to  the  soldier,  eay 
ing,  "'Let  the  eyes  of  the  war  tiger  rest  upon  this 
token,  for  by  its  means  his  servant  would  seek  \he 
illustrious  yellow  girdle,  Woo-san-Kwei." 

"  The  power  of  the  token  may  not  be  doubted,  for 
it  bears  the  character  of  the  prince ;  yet  may  the  noble 
youth  not  see  the  barbarian-subduing  prince,  for  he 
is  in  council  with  the  colaos,"  said  the  soldier. 

"  Then,  by  the  toe  of  the  Emperor,  (may  he  live 
ten  thousand  years,)  we  are  as  good  as  in  our  coffins ; 
for  know,  O  my  master,  it  is  death  to  sleep  within 
the  walls  of  the  palace,"  said  the  trembling  Chow. 

"  Surely,"  said  Nicholas,  placing  a  piece  of  silver 
in  the  soldiei-'s  hand,  "  the  brave  warrior  can  secure 
lodging  within  the  walls  for  a  youth  whose  duty 
compels  him  to  risk  his  life  rather  than  leave  the  palace 
without  speaking  with  the  great  .Woo-san-KweL" 


A  DANGERODS  ADVENTURE.       141 

"Truly  it  vnll  be  hazardous,"  but  before  the  sol- 
dier could  finish  his  reply,  the  oflficer  of  the  night 
came  up  with  the  relief  guard. 

"Who  are  these  vile  dogs  that  are  so  openly  seek 
ing  their  death  ?"  said  he. 

"  This  youth,  O  noble  commander,  bears  the  ring 
of  the  great  Woo-san-Kwei,  whose  presence  he  seeks; 
but  as  the  patriot  prince  cannot  be  seen,  with  the 
noble  commander's  permission  the  youth  shall  lodge 
with  me  this  night." 

"The  noble  and  unfortunate  Ki  utters  judicious 
words,  and  shall  command  in  this  thing,"  i-eplied  the 
officer,  to  the  surprise  of  Nicholas,  who  could  not 
comprehend  an  officer  of  the  guard  being  so  politely 
submissive  to  a  man  so  much  his  inferior. 

The  permission,  however,  did  not  extend  to  Chow, 
whom  the  officer  undertook  to  convey  back  again  out 
of  the  palace. 

"  Then  slit  me  into  bamboo  slips,  thou  Captain  of 
war  tigers,  for  the  servant  dare  not  leave  his  master," 
said  Chow,  who  refused  so  obstinately  that  the  sol 
diers  had  to  carry  him  away. 

As  Ki  led  the  way  through  the  streets  and  passages 
on  the  way  to  his  quarters,  Nicholas  was  not  a  little 
surprised  to  find  that  he  was  respectfully  saluted  by 
all  whom  they  passed.  Again,  instead  of  the  common 
room  appropriated  to  soldiers  of  his  humble  station, 
his  quarters  consisted  of  a  house  by  itself.  Neither 
could  Nicholas  get  rid  of  his  puzzle,  till  Ki  said, 
"  Has  the  name  of  the  colao  Ki  ever  fallen  into  the 
ears  of  the  honorable  youth  ?" 


142  THE  "WAR  TIGER. 

"  Truly  so  ;  for  whose  ears  could  he  so  dull  as  not 
to  have  drunk  in  his  fame  as  a  wise  niinister  of  state  ?" 
"  Yet  such  is  the  viscissitude  of  fortune,  that  the 
colao  is  now  before  thee,  O  youth,  plucked  of  the 
peacock  feather,  and  the  golden  ball  torn  from  hia 
cap." 

"  The  great  and  good  colao  degraded  to  a  mean  sol- 
dier! Are  such  things  possible  ?  O  unfortunate  man !" 
said  Nicholas,  bowing  respectfully  to  the  fallen  noble. 
"  The  purest  sky  is  sometimes  shaded  by  the  black- 
est cloud.  The  cloud  over  the  head  of  Ki  is  the 
Prince  Li-Kong,  to  whom  every  thing  is  now  possi- 
ble; but  open  thy  lips,  youth,  and  send  forth  thy 
wishes  with  the  Prince  Woo-san-Kwei.  K  it  be  to 
ask  promotion  to  some  office,  know  that  he  has  none 
to  give,  for  the  shadow  of  Li-Kong  stands  between 
him  and  the  Majesty  of  China." 

"  Thy  servant  seeketh  nothing  for  himself,  O  noble 
Ki,  but  to  serve  the  Emperor,  to  whom  through  the 
great  Woo-san-Kwei,  he  would  present  a  petition." 

"All  petitions  now  pass  through  the  Prince  Li- 
Kong,"  said  Ki  sorrowfully. 

"Then,  by  the  vermilion  pencil,  I  will  seek  the 
Emperor  himself,  0  noble  Ki." 

"  Thou  wouldst  be  slain  in  the  attempt,  O  daring 
boy ;  there  is  but  one  means." 

"Name  it,  O   noble  Ki,  and  thy  name  shall   be 
buried  in  my  heart,"  said  Nicholas  impetuously. 
"  It  would  be  but  to  condemn  thee  to  death." 
"  Thou  art  laughing  at  me,  O  noble  Ki,"  replie«5 
Nicholas  bitterly. 


A  DANGEROUS  ADVENTURE.       143 

"  Not  SO,  youth ;  and  since  thou  hast  set  thy  heart 
upon  the  venture,  open  thine  ears  to  the  only  means," 
said  Ivi ;  adding,  "  Know  that  the  Emjaeror  has  one 
young  and  beautiful  daughter,  who  apart  from  the 
bonzes  and  Li-Kong,  alone  dares  to  present  a  peti- 
tion to  his  majesty." 

"  Again,  I  say,  thou  art  laughing  at  me,  O  cruel 
Ki ;  for  how  is  it  possible  for  a  strange  youth  to  pass 
the  guai'd  that  surrounds  the  palace  of  the  ladies  ?" 

"  Know  then,  further,  that  every  morning  the  prin- 
cess, with  her  ladies,  walks  in  those  gardens  just 
beyond  the  prohibited  wall ;  through  the  outer  gate 
you  can  pass  by  means  of  this  key,"  said  Ki,  giving 
him  a  key;  adding,  "Near  the  inner  wall  there  is  a 
tall  mulberry-tree,  up  which  you  must  climb,  and  so 
reach  the  top,  and  fall  into  the  gardens ;  then  hide 
thyself  till  the  royal  lady  passes.  She  will  be  atten- 
ded by  the  lady  Candida  Iliu,  at  whose  feet  throw 
thyself,  proclaim  thy  mission,  and  she  will  influence 
her  beautiful  mistress  to  deliver  thy  petition  to  the 
Eiuperor ;  but  remember,  0  youth,  should  you  cross 
me  path  of  one  of  the  eunuchs  of  the  palace  thy 
hours  are  numbered." 

"  Noble  Ki,  I  am  thy  servant  for  life,"  said  Nicho- 
las, kneehng  and  clasping  the  knees  of  the  old  colao ; 
adding,  "but  say,  O  Ki,  who  is  this  Lady  Candida 
Iliu  ?" 

"  The  pupil  of  the  good  Christian  fathers  whom 
the  bonzes  would  have  massacred,  the  Lady  Candida 
is  the  friend  and  teacher  of  the  princess,  and  but  for 
Uer  influence  over  her  royal  mistress,  the  punishment 


144  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

would  be  death  for  worshiping  in  any  of  the  many 
churches  erected  by  the  lady  herself." 

"Art  thou  then  a  disciple  of  the  Saviour  of  man- 
kind, OKi?" 

"  To  the  teaching  of  the  lady  Candida  Hiu  am  I 
indebted  for  having  forsworn  the  stupid  worship  of 
Fo  and  the  selfish  philosophy  of  Confucius,"  replied 
the  colao;  adding,  "But  ask  no  more,  O  youth,  for 
to  speak  of  Christ  out  of  the  pale  of  that  lady's  in- 
fluence is  to  earn  disgrace,  if  not  death."  So  saying 
the  ex-minister  retired,  leaving  Nicholas  to  his  own 
thouuhts. 


THE   IMPEEIAL   GARDENS.  145 


CHAPTER  XYin. 


THE   IMPERIAL   GARDENS. 


The  next  morning  Nicholas  proceeded  on  his  mis- 
sion, and,  as  the  courts  of  the  palace  were  crowded 
with  soldiers  and  mandarins  of  various  ranks,  iu 
waiting  to  receive  the  great  lords  of  state,  who  were 
that  day  to  have  audience  with  the  Emperor,  he  man- 
aged to  pass  through  the  crowd  without  being  once 
challenged.  "With  but  little  difficulty,  he  found  the 
door  mentioned  by  Ki,  and  passing  through  by  means 
of  the  key,  he  entered  a  narrow  lane  between  two 
walls.  Near  the  inner  wall  stood  the  mulberry-tree, 
up  which  he  clambered  quickly,  for  he  knew  not  who 
might  enter  the  passage.  When,  by  means  of  one  of 
the  branches,  he  had  gained  the  top  of  the  wall,  his 
eyes  drank  in  a  new  pleasure.  There,  before,  be- 
neath were  the  magnificent  gardens  of  the  inner  pal- 
ace, and  so  charmed  were  his  senses  that  for  a  minute 
it  seemed  as  if  the  penalty  of  death  were  but  a  small 
price  for  the  vision.  The  enclosed  grounds  were  of 
many  miles  extent,  and  so  varied  in  their  arrange- 
ment, that  they  might  have  served  for  a  model  of  the 
empire  itself  There  was  something  of  most  things 
natural  and  artificial  in  China :  towering  mountains 
cut  into  terraces  and  planted  with  trees  of  rarity  and 
beauty ;  fertile  valleys  laid  out  in  orange  groves  and 
10 


146  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

intermingled  with  murmnring  rivulets ;  then  bridges 
of  tinted  marble,  wrought  to  resemble  flying  dragons, 
whose  eyes  and.  scales  were  fashioned  from  colored 
metals,  flew  across  small  lakes  of  clear,  transparent 
water,  in  which,  as  a  paradise  of  their  own,  gamboled 
shoals  of  gold  and  silver  fish,  which  at  that  time  had  not 
been  brought  to  Europe ;  then  orchards  of  fruit  trees, 
making  the  morning  air  redolent  with  the  mingled 
scents  of  rare  specimens  of  pears,  apples,  peaches,  cit- 
rons, apricots,  muscadine  grapes,  pomegranates,  and 
oranges.  The  sides  of  the  main  canal,  from  which  the 
dripping  rivulets  sprang,  were  embossed  with  cy- 
press and  mulberry-trees,  whose  feet  seemed  planted 
in  a  sprinkled  fringe  of  water  melons.  On  this 
canal,  with  its  awning  of  yellow  sUk  and  golden 
fringe,  floated  the  gilded  japanned  pleasure  barge  of 
the  ladies. 

For  a  time  the  boy's  head  swam  with  a  new  sensa- 
tion. Such,  thought  he,  must  have  been  the  garden 
of  that  Emperor  whose  jealousy  of  the  powers  of  the 
cruel  winter  over  his  summer  beauties  caused  him  to 
waste  the  revenue  of  a  kingdom  and  the  industry  of 
a  whole  people  in  creating  a  garden  of  artificial  flow- 
ers, forgetting  that  the  annual  decay  was  ?.lone  the 
cause  of  the  ever-living  freshness  and  perfume  of 
nature. 

Then  the  sweet  scents  and  beauteous  sight  tired 
Nicholas,  for  he  thought  of  the  sufiering,  starv- 
ing people.  Surely  it  should  not  be  possible  for  such 
a  paradise  to  exist  in  the  midst  of  so  much  treason 
and  rotten-heartedness,  and  then  the  bold  feeabov 


THE   IMPEKIAL   GARDENS.  147 

thought  of  his  own  rough  life,  and  becamo  disgusted 
with  hunself  for  dwelling  upon  so  much  sensuousness, 
for  he  knew  that  the  empire  had  never  smiled  and 
prospered  with  a  happy,  peaceable  and  well-fed  pcoi^le, 
except  when  the  Emperor  had  set  the  example  of 
temperance  and  labor ;  and,  moreover,  that  luxury  and 
mdolence  had  ever  preceded  the  downfall  of  dynas- 
ties ;  and  then  by  far  more  interesting  became  the 
cotton,  the  tallow  and  the  mulberry-trees  that  Heaven 
had  bestowed  upon  the  land  of  China  for  the  support 
of  its  hundreds  of  millions,  and  which  had  no  voca- 
tion in  such  a  garden  of  luxury. 

As  it  must  be  interesting  to  my  young  readers,  I 
will  give  a  description  of  these  singularly  valuable 
trees.  The  seed  of  the  cotton  shrub  is  sown  by  the 
husbandmen  on  the  same  day  that  they  get  in  the 
harvest.  When  the  rain  has  moistened  the  earth  the 
shrub  thrusts  itself  forward  to  a  height  of  about  two 
feet,  and  in  the  month  of  Augiist  gives  forth  a  yellow 
or  a  red  flower,  which  fades  into  a  pod,  which  on  the 
fortieth  day  after  the  appearance  of  the  flower  divides 
itself  into  three  parts,  each  containing  a  wrapping  of 
pure  white  cotton,  similar  in  size  to  the  ball  of  the 
silk-worm.  At  this  period,  the  husbandmen  fasten 
the  ball  to  the  pod,  leaving  it  till  the  following  year, 
when  the  fibres  of  the  cotton  become  so  securely 
fastened  to  the  seeds,  that  the  husbandman  is  com- 
pelled to  separate  them  by  means  of  two  thin  rollers, 
one  of  wood  and  the  other  of  iro'.,  placed  so  close 
to  each  other,  that  in  passing  the  cotton  between 
them,  the  naked  seed  is  exuded  from  behind.    The 


148  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

cotton  is  then  carded  and  ready  to  be  converted  into 
calico,  an  employment  that  gives  food  to  many  thou 
sands  of  people. 

Of  equal  value  and  moi'e  curious  is  the  tallow-tree, 
which  lights  the  whole  of  the  empire.  While  the 
leaves  and  long  stalks  of  this  plant  cause  it  to  resem- 
ble the  aspen  and  the  birch,  its  trunk  and  branches 
resemble  in  shape,  height,  and  size  the  cherry-tree 
From  the  grey  bark,  spring  long  elastic  branches,  the 
leaves  of  which  grow  but  from  the  middle  to  the  end, 
where  they  finish  in  a  tuft,  where  the  fruit  grows  in 
a  hard  brown  husk  of  triangular  form.  The  husk 
generally  contains  three  kernels,  covered  with  a  thin 
substance  resembling  white  tallow.  When  the  husk 
begins  to  open  and  fall  away,  the  fruit  gradually  ap- 
pears. Each  kernel  contains  another  of  the  size  of  a 
hemp  seed,  which  from  its  oleaginous  nature  is  con- 
verted into  oil. 

To  make  the  tallow,  the  shell  and  kernel  are  beaten 
together  in  boiling  water  till  the  surface  becomes 
covered  with  fat,  which  when  cold,  condenses;  then,  by 
adding  fair  proportions  of  linseed  oil  and  wax  to  give 
consistency,  they  have  produced  the  material  which, 
when  shaped  around  a  wick  of  hollow  reed,  produces 
the  candles  in  use  in  China.  Thus  does  nature  and 
the  ingenuity  of  the  people  create  from  this  extraor- 
dinary tree  a  double  means  of  lighting  the  empire. 

As  for  the  mulberry-tree,  it  is  so  well  known  that  I 
need  but  tell  yc  i,  that  after  rice,  the  Chmese  consider 
its  culture  as  a  sacred  duty,  and  deservedly  so,  for  by 
feeding  the  silk-worm,  it  not  only  clothes  the  people, 


THE  IMPERIAL  GARDENS.         149 

but  silk,  being  in  immense  clemaud  over  the  known 
world,  is  the  primary  means  of  gi\'ing  them  em- 
ployment ;  indeed  the  mulberry-tree  is  an  "  institu- 
tion," and  of  such  ancient  date,  that  even  in  four 
thousand  years  old  China,  which  contains  the  oldest 
records  in  the  world,  there  is  no  authentic  record  of 
its  discovery.  There  is  a  legend,  however,  "  that,  till 
the  days  of  Ti-Long,  the  wife  of  the  Emperor  Hoang- 
ti,  the  people  were  savages,  and  used  the  skins  of  ani. 
mals  for  clothing,  but  her  far-sighted  majesty  noticed 
that  as  the  people  were  many,  and  the  animals  few, 
they  would  soon  become  short  of  garments,  when, 
Uke  the  parent  of  invention,  she  was  pushed  to  a  dis- 
co^ery  that  worms  might  be  made  the  greatest  man- 
ufacturers of  her  empire ;  and  that  there  is  some 
truth  in  this  fable  seems  likely,  as,  from  the  earliest 
times,  the  Empress  of  China  has  had  a  poi'tion  of  the 
grounds  of  the  palace  planted  as  a  mulberry  grove, 
where,  at  certain  periods  of  the  yeai-,  she  goes  in  state, 
to  show  her  interest  in  the  silk  manixfacture,  by  gather- 
ing three  mulberry  leaves,  and  unwinding  a  quantity  of 
silk.  Lastly,  I  may  tell  you,  that  the  most  learned 
men  and  the  greatest  ministers  have  devoted  a  great 
portion  of  their  lives  to  teach  the  people  "  how  to 
*bring  up  and  feed  silk  worms,  so  as  to  obtain  the 
greatest  quantity  and  best  quaUty  of  silk." 

Is  it  not  unjust  that  the  race  of  worms  should  have 
been  so  long  despised,  when,  for  thousands  of  years, 
one  of  their  representatives  has  been  at  the  base  of  the 
prosperity  of  the  largest,  most  populated,  and  longest, 
enduring  empire  since  the  foundation  of  the  world  ? 


150  THE   WAE   TIGER. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE     PEINCESSES      OF    THE     MINGS,    AND     THE     LADT 

CANDIDA. 

Enwrapped  as  tlie  mind  of  Nicholas  had  been  in 
the  delicious  scene  around  him,  no  sooner  did  he 
reach  the  ground  than  a  bitter  feeling  arose  that  his 
beloved  Emperor  should  be  content  to  repose  in  such 
soft  and  costly  indolence,  while  millions  of  his  sub- 
jects were  being  plundered  by  rapacious  nobles.  In 
deep  thought  he  reached  the  far-famed  mulberry  or- 
chard, where,  for  a  time,  he  stood  contemplating  the 
industry  of  the  marvelous  little  worms  whose  number 
and  color  cast  a  sickly  hue  over  the  broad  green 
foliage  of  the  trees,  then  in  full  leaf.  Passing  through 
this  orchard,  he  came  in  front  of  a  mimic  palace, 
hewn  out  of  rock  crystal,  and  which  glittered  in  the 
Sim,  so  that  it  was  some  minutes  before  his  dazzled 
vision  could  perceive  that  he  was  near  the  imperial 
menagerie  and  aviary,  where  were  kept  the  rare 
beasts  and  birds  presented  to  the  Emperor  by  his 
tributarv  king-s.  The  siorht  was  curious,  and  he  would 
have  stopped,  but  for  the  rustling  of  leaves  in  the  or- 
chard, and  the  sound  of  soft  footsteps,  that  Avarned 
him  of  his  imprudence,  and  made  him  seek  shelter  ic 
a  small  pagoda,  from  whence,  through  a  kind  of 


THE   PKINCESS   AND   THE   LADY.  151 

loophole  which  fronted  the  menagerie,  he  could  see 
without  being  seen.  Now  his  heart  beat  tremulously ; 
the  footsteps  might  be  those  of  the  princess  and  her 
ladies.  He  was  right  in  his  conjecture,  for  scarcely 
had  he  placed  himself  at  the  loophole,  when  two 
ladies,  attended  by  female  slaves,  who  held  above  the 
heads  of  their  mistresses  umbrellas  of  embroidered 
yellow  silk  deeply  fringed  with  gold,  came  toward 
the  menagerie.  The  j^rincess  was  of  middle  height, 
with  a  form  as  graceful  and  elastic  as  a  fawn ;  her 
face,  like  those  of  all  of  her  race,  was  broad,  but  fair 
almost  as  a  European  blonde,  yet  looked  the  fairer 
from  its  contrast  with  the  raven  hair  and  eyelashes 
which  beneath  the  thin  brows  shaded  a  pair  of  tiny 
jet  black  eyes,  which  like  the  purest  diamonds,  com- 
pensated by  fire  for  their  deficiency  in  size,  and  with 
the  dehcately  small  mouth,  parted  by  a  pair  of  thin 
pouting  lips,  lit  up  her  sweet  countenance  with  ani- 
mation and  vivacity.  Of  her  hands  and  feet  I  can 
say  nothing,  for  they  were  hidden  beneath  the  ample 
folds  of  her  long  gold-embroidered  robe  of  yellow 
satin.  Upon  her  head  she  wore  a  kind  of  crown  of 
lich  silk,  decorated  upon  each  side  with  a  "fong- 
hoang,"  the  phoenix  of  China,  which  it  is  believed  has 
but  once  appeared,  and  whose  next  advent  wiU  be 
the  fore-running  of  the  golden  age.  The  extended 
wings  of  the  little  birds,  which  were  of  frosted  gold, 
and  sparkling  with  jewels,  rested  upon  the  forepart 
of  the  crown,  so  that  while  their  beaks  fell  over  the 
forehead,  the  spreading  plumage  of  their  tails  afibrd- 
ed  a  graceful  crest  upon  its  summit ;  moreover  they 


152  THE   WAE  TIGER. 

appeared  to  come  with  a  tiny  parterre  of  artificial 
flowers,  which  were  fastened  with  a  bevy  of  silver 
bodkins,  whose  heads  were  formed  out  of  pearls, 
diamonds,  and  rubies;  but  far  beyond  her  rare 
beauty  and  costly  attire  was  the  artlessness  of  her 
manner,  which,  arising  from  a  virtuous  heart  and  cul- 
tivated mind,  won  the  love  of  all  with  whom  she  came 
in  contact. 

As  for  Nicholas,  he  was  bewitched,  and  from  the 
moment  his  eyes  rested  upon  her,  he  lost  all  doubt  of 
the  success  of  his  mission. 

Of  the  lady  in  attendance  I  will  only  say,  that  she 
was  of  maturer  age,  and  of  fuller  form.  More  plainly 
attired  than  the  royal  lady,  she  wore  a  robe  of  green 
silk,  embroidered  with  flowers  of  the  same  color,  and 
a  head-dress  of  silk,  slightly  sprinkled  with  large 
pearls ;  her  brow  was  high,  and  her  features  regu- 
lar and  handsome,  but  seemingly  shadowed  with  care 
for  the  interests  and  ministers  of  Christ,  to  whose 
doctrines  she  had  long  been  a  convert ;  for  this  lady 
was  no  other  than  the  illustrious  Candida  Hiu,  of 
whom  the  colao  had  spoken  to  Nicholas.  Her  histo- 
ry was  remarkable,  and  may  be  told  in  a  few  lines. 
The  Emperor  at  the  commencement  of  his  reign,  had 
been  so  favorably  disposed  to  the  Christian  religion, 
that,  although  not  a  convert  himself,  he  had  permit- 
ted many  of  the  lords  and  ladies  of  his  court  to  em- 
brace its  tenets ;  chief  and  most  sincere  among  the 
proselytes  had  been  the  prime  minister,  Paul  Syu, 
whose  influence  over  his  weak-minded  master  had 
eiidbled  him  to  protect  the  missionaries  from  the 


THE   PKINCESS    AND   THE   LADY.  153 

jealous  bonzes  and  pagan  mandarins  ai'onnd.  No 
sooner,  however,  had  this  good  man  gone  to  his 
grave,  than  the  bonzes  accused  the  Christians  of  en- 
deavoring to  subvei't  the  reigning  family,  and  so  art- 
fully did  they  intrigue,  that  the  Emperor  ordered  the 
Christians  to  leave  China,  and  a  tei'rible  persecution 
took  place,  when  all  the  court  but  the  Lady  Candida 
and  the  son  and  daughter  of  the  monarch,  returned 
to  the  worship  of  Fo.  As  I  have  said,  the  Emperor's 
love  was  so  great  for  his  beautiful  daughter,  that  he 
permitted  the  princess  and  her  friend  Candida  to 
follow  the  dictates  of  their  own  hearts ;  hence  it  was 
that  the  good  lady  had  been  able  to  protect  her 
fellow-Christians  from  the  rapacity  of  the  bonzes  and 
mandarins,  even  to  obtaining  permission  for  them  to 
remain  in  Pekin.  Further,  to  show  her  zeal,  she 
founded  at  her  own  cost  no  less  than  thirty  churches 
in  different  parts  of  the  empire,  and  had  vast  num- 
bers of  religious  books  translated  into  Chinese,  which 
she  distributed  by  means  not  only  of  blind  beggars, 
but  vagabond  fortune-tellers,  whom  she  paid  hand- 
somely to  stand  at  the  corners  of  streets,  and  read  the 
Gospel,  in  place  of  practicing  upon  the  credulity  of 
the  populace  with  theii'  vile  falsehoods.  Such  were 
the  two  ladies  now  within  a  few  yards  of  Nicholas. 


1 5  J:  THE   WAR  TIGEK. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

DANGER  OF  THE  PEINCESS.-^-HER  RESCUE  BY  NICHOLAS. 

As  the  princess  and  her  friend  approached,  Nicho- 
las ahnost  felt  ashamed  of  his  intrusion  upon  their 
privacy.  Should  he  not  appear  to  them  in  the  despi. 
cable  light  of  an  eaves-dropper  ?  Then  he  would  deter- 
mine to  come  forward,  but  fell  back  again  in  dread 
of  giving  oifence.  Then  the  ladies  began  a  conversa- 
tion, and  he  dared  not  interrupt  them. 

"  This  then,  dear  Candida,  is  the  sin-fin  that  my 
royal  parent  values  so  highly,"  said  the  princess, 
looking  at  a  large  black  ape  of  the  ourang-outang 
species,  which  sat  grinning,  with  its  elbows  upon  its 
knees. 

"  Truly,  dear  princess,  this  is  the  wonderful  beast 
that  the  Prince  Li-Kong  has  presented  to  the  Em- 
peror, from  the  wild  province  of  Yun-nan,"  said 
Candida. 

"  Candida  is  surely  laughing  at  her  pupil,  for  is  it 
not  said  that  this  Li-Kong  is  chiefest  of  the  rebels, 
who  have  so  lately  been  disturbing  my  royal  parent's 
repose?" 

"  Alas !  my  princess,  that  it  should  be  necessary  to 
pour  words  of  grief  into  thy  sweet  ears,"  said  Candi 
da,  sorrowfully. 


DANGER   OF  THE   PRINCESS,  155 

"  What  words  are  these,  Candida  ?  What  grief 
can  come  in  such  a  place  of  repose  ?  Truly  you  ter- 
rify without  answering  my  question,"  said  the  prin- 
cess, angrily. 

"  But  that  my  sweet  mistress  alone  possesses  the 
ear  of  the  Emperor,  and  may  open  it  for  the  benefit 
of  the  starving  millions  of  the  empire,  her  friend  and 
servant  would  not  grieve  her,"  repUed  the  lady. 

"  Tell  me,  O  Candida,  if  thou  wouldst  not  vex  thy 
mistress,  what  mean  these  words,"  said  the  princess, 
pettishly;  adding,  "Surely  you  would  not  protect 
the  traitor  Li-Kong." 

"  It  is  of  that  prince  thy  servant  would  speak,"  said 
the  lady ;  adding,  "  Know  then,  O  princess,  that, 
angered  at  some  refusal  of  thy  royal  father,  the 
Prince  Li-Kong,  fled  from  the  court,  placed  himself  at 
the  head  of  a  robber  army,  and  being  joined  by  thou- 
sands of  the  starving  people,  among  whom  he  made 
himself  popular,  took  posession  of  two  of  the  largest 
provinces,  and  caused  himself  to  be  proclaimed  as 
Emperor,  and  took  the  title  of  Tien-Chun  (  He  that 
obeys  Heaven),  persuading  the  people  that  he  had 
been  appointed  by  Heaven  to  deliver  them  from  the 
cruelty  of  the  Emperor  and  his  ministers." 

*'  Dared  the  dog  say  this  ?  Surely  my  royal  father 
is  the  parent  of  his  people." 

"  Nay,  O  princess,  for  as  it  was  the  duty  of  my 
father,  the  great  minister,  so  is  it  mine,  at  the  risk 
of  death,  to  speak  the  truth.  Until  within  the  last 
moon,  the  greater  part  of  the  empire  was  in  the  hands 
of  robbers  and  assassins,  justice  was  openly  sold  by 


156  THE   TVAR  TIGER. 

the  mandarins  to  the  highest  bidder,  the  husband- 
men of  the  hills  and  fields  and  the  tradesmen  in  the 
streets  were  dying  by  thousands  of  starvation,  while 
the  Son  of  Heaven  was  shut  up  in  his  palaces  mtent 
upon  nothing  but  his  pleasures  and  the  society  of  the 
bonzes." 

"  Candida,  dear  Candida,  thou  who  art  so  truth-lov- 
ing that  thou  darest  even  to  rebuke  thy  Emperor,  canst 
thou  tell  thy  friend  and  mistress  that  while  all  is  so 
calm,  beautiful,  and  happy  within  these  walls,  there 
can  be  so  much  misery  without  ?"  said  the  princess, 
trembling  with  fear. 

"Even  worse,  O  dear  princess,  for  while  the  im- 
perial storehouses  are  groaning  with  grain,  thousands 
of  people  are  dying  of  starvation  within  the  walls  of 
Pekin,"  replied  Candida. 

"  I  dare  not  doubt  thy  words,  O  Candida,  yet  I 
will  not  believe  that  my  great  parent  would  keep  close 
the  public  storehouses  while  his  children  were  starr- 
ing," said  the  princess. 

"  It  is  even  worse,  O  princess,  for  the  daily  distri- 
bution of  food  has  been  withheld,"  said  Candida. 

With  a  vacant  stare  the  princess  gazed  into  the 
face  of  her  friend  for  a  moment,  then  with  a  flood  of 
tears  upon  her  cheeks,  fell  into  her  arms  ;  but  recov- 
ering her  presence  of  mind,  she  said,  "  Truly  this  is  a 
calamity;  surely  I  have  heard  such  things  ever  precede 
the  downfall  of  dynasties  ;  but  I  will  to  my  father's 
presence,  and  dutifully  implore  him  on  my  knees;" 
and  she  moved  toward  the  palace  as  if  to  act  upon  her 
resolution,  but  Candida  caught  her  in  her  arms,  say- 


DANGER  OF   THE   PRINCESS.  15 1 

ing,  "  It  would  not  be  seemly,  O  pi'incess,  nay,  it 
would  be  useless,  for  the  Prince  Li-Kong  now  pos- 
sesses the  Emperor's  confidence. 

"  What  words  are  these,  O  Candida  ?  Thou  art 
indeed  laughing  at  thy  mistress,  for  didst  thou  not 
say  the  traitor  Vas  in  open  rebellion  ?" 

"  True,  my  princess,  he  was,  till,  for  some  vile  jiur 
pose,  he  made  his  submission  to  Ten  Thousand  Years, 
who,  as  he  brought  the  heads  of  some  chiefs  of  the 
rebels,  pardoned  him,  in  the  belief  that  his  rebellion 
had  been  a  trick,  a  pretence  whereby  he  had  the  bet- 
ter subdued  the  other  rebels." 

With  inditrnation  in  her  heart  at  the  traitor  Li,  and 
her  eyes  swimming  with  tears,  she  placed  her  hands 
afiectionately  in  those  of  her  friend — before,  however, 
she  could  speak  she  shrieked  with  fright.  The  sin- 
fin  had  broken  his  cage  and  stood  as  erect  as  a  man, 
clattering  his  teeth  and  grinning  in  her  face,  with  his 
great  paws  upon  her  neck.  The  princess  fainted ; 
not  so  the  Lady  Candida  for  she  boldly  clutched  hold 
of  the  brute,  who,  however,  without  relinquishiug 
his  grasp  of  the  princess,  caught  the  Lady  Candida 
by  her  head-dress  and  hair,  and  dragged  them  both 
m  the  direction  of  the  lake,  looking  savagely  at  the 
screaming  attendants,  who  scampered  oif  as  fast  as 
their  legs  would  carry  them ;  and  so  rapid  were  the 
movements  of  the  brute,  that  he  reached  the  verge 
of  the  water  before  Nicholas  could  thrust  his  sword 
into  his  hirsute  side,  a  bit  of  a  stirprise  that  caused 
the  beast  to  leave  his  hold  of  the  ladies,  when 
"  scotched"  but  not  killed,  and  catching  sight  of  his 


158  THE    WAR  TIGEK. 

real  enemy,  lie  uttered  a  savage  scream  and  sprang 
at  him  with  extended  claws,  but  so  neat  was  the 
spring  that  the  weapon  of  Nicholas  passed  through 
his  heart,  when  he  gave  one  last  terrific  leap  and 
rolled  over  dead. 

The  fright,  the  horror  of  feeling  themselves  in  the 
ein-fin's  clutches,  and  the  revulsion  of  feeling  at  the 
unexpected  relief,  made  the  ladies  forget,  as  you  may 
vveU  imagine,  the  lesser  terror  of  seeing  a  strange 
youth  within  the  prohibited  walls.  As  for  Nicholas, 
he  thought  only  of  them  both.  However,  seeing 
they  had  been  more  frightened  than  hurt,  and  that 
they  were  now  regarding  him  with  a  mixed  expres- 
sion of  gratitude,  surprise,  and  even  anger,  for  so 
great  is  the  modesty  of  women,  and  such,  the  force 
of  the  custom  in  China,  that  rescue  from  death  itself 
\vas  scarcely  sufiicient  to  suppress  the  instinctive  an- 
ger they  felt  at  the  intrusion  of  a  boy  in  so  sacred  a 
place ;  perceiving  all  this  at  a  glance,  Nicholas  fell 
upon  his  knees,  saying,  "  Pardon,  O  great  princess, 
for  thus  thy  yellow  girdle  betokens  thee.  Let  the 
life  of  thy  mean  servant  be  the  penalty  for  his  unpar- 
donable intrusion,  and  he  will  not  regret  it,  since  he 
has  been  the  means  of  saving  the  daughter  of  his 
Emperor,  and  the  Christian-protecting  Lady  Candida, 
from  the  fangs  of  a  vile  beast." 

"  Rise,  O  youth,  for  it  is  not  seemly  that  thou 
shouldst  kneel  at  the  feet  of  her  whose  life  thou 
hast  saved,  and  say  what  chance  hath  brought 
thee  hither,"  said  the  royal  lady,  smiUng  with  sweet 
gi-atitude. 


DANGER   OF   THE   PEINCESS.  159 

"  Surely,  O  princess,  chance  can  have  no  mfluence 
over  the  children  of  God,  who  must  have  sent  thy 
servant  hither  as  a  manifest  of  his  watchful  care  for 
those  who  obey  his  word  and  protect  his  worshipers," 
I'eplied  Nicholas  earnestly. 

"  Then  thou  art  of  the  Lord  of  heaven's  rehgion. 
But  who  art  thou,  O  my  poor  youth,  who  thus  seekest 
certain  death  by  thy  presence  here?"  said  Candida, 
looking  tremulously  around,  for  fear  of  the  approach 
of  any  of  the  eunuchs  of  the  palace. 

"  Let  this,  O  princess,  bespeak  the  reason  of  thy 
servant's  intrusion,  where  even  the  daring  Li-Kong 
cannot  foil  his  purpose,"  replied  Nicholas,  falling  up- 
on his  knees  and  presenting  his  father's  letter  to  the 
princess,  who  handed  it  to  Candida,  who  no  sooner 
glanced  at  the  characters  upon  the  envelope  than  she 
said  angrily,  "This  is  from  the  rebel  pirate,  Chin- 
Chi-Loong." 

"Should  thy  servant's  tongue  be  torn  from  his 
mouth,  he  would  say  those  words  are  false,  lady. 
The  noble  chief  is  neither  pirate  nor  rebel ;  if  so,  thy 
servant  would  not  have  risked  his  life  to  place  that 
letter  in  the  hands  of  the  Son  of  Heaven,"  said 
Nicholas  firmly. 

"If  thy   words  are  true,  youth "  but  as  the 

Lady  Candida  spoke,  a  body  of  armed  eunuchs  en- 
tered the  garden,  so,  giving  the  letter  back  to  Nicho- 
las, she  said,  "Haste  youth,  for  thy  life;"  but  know- 
ing the  attempt  would  be  useless,  he  stood  hid 
groimd  firmly. 

"  No,  lady,"  said  he  ;  "  thy  servant  came  here  ta 


180  THE   WAR   TIGER. 

place  that  letter  in  the   hands  of  the  Emperor.' 
Before    he  could   say  more  the  men    had    drawn 
around  him. 

"  Tie  the  dog  hand  and  foot,"  said  the  chief. 

"  Not  so,  O  Lnn-Yin,"  said  the  princess. 

"  Thy  slave  dare  not  disobey  the  laws,  O  illustrioua 
daughter  of  the  IMings,"  replied  the  chief,  bowing  to 
the  earth. 

"  Then  convey  the  youth  to  the  presence  of  the 
Emperor,  for  he  has  treason  to  disclose,  but  let  not 
his  limbs  be  bound  at  the  peril  of  your  life,  and  we 
wiU  answer  to  our  great  father,"  said  the  princess. 

When  the  ladies  withdrew  toward  the  inner  palace 
the  eunuchs  led  Nicholas  through  the  small  gate  in- 
to a  spacious  court,  which  was  crowded  with  soldiers, 
bonzes  and  servants,  in  attendance  upon  the  great 
lords,  who  were  then  in  council  with  the  Emperor. 
Passing  through  the  crowd  they  entered  a  magnifi- 
cent archway  of  veined  marble  into  a  vast  court, 
across  which  ran  a  canal  of  water,  so  pellucid  that 
shoals  of  gold  and  silver  fish  could  be  seen  playing 
around  the  stems  of  the  white-leaved  lien-hoa  at  the 
bottom.  Across  this  canal  was  thrown  a  bridge  of 
glittering  white  marble,  supjiorted  upon  each  bank 
by  lions  sculptured  from  the  same  material.  From 
this  bridge  Nicholas  could  see  that  the  whole  court 
was  surrounded  with  marble  terraces,  which  led 
through  small  doorways  into  the  imperial  treasure 
rooms,  which  were  fuU  of  precious  metals,  jewels, 
valuable  furs,  rare  vases,  and  costly  robes,  and  a 
variorum  collection  of  sUks,  that  had  been  presented 


DANGER   OF   THE   PRINCESS.  103 

from  the  chief  manuilictories  of  the  empire.  Other 
rooms  contained  bows,  arrows,  saddles,  and  even 
specimens  of  the  choicest  teas  to  be  found  in  China. 
Leaving  the  treasures  they  entered  the  great  court 
of  the  prmces  of  the  blood,  whose  palaces  shone  with 
gilding,  japan,  and  varnish,  through  which  they  passed 
by  a  small  side-gate  into  the  hippodrome,  or  horse- 
racing  court,  which  was  crowded  with  mandarins  of 
arms  and  letters,  of  inferior  rank,  besides  the  state 
chairs,  and  horse  guards  belonging  to  the  princes. 
As  they  entered  the  hippodrome  they  saw  a  group 
of  war  mandarins  gathered  around  a  person  who  was 
clamorinor  for  somethina:  that  the  mandarins  must 
have  deemed  very  absurd,  for  although  so  near  the 
inner  palace,  they  laughed  loudly.  Perceiving,  how- 
ever, the  chief  of  the  emiuchs,  they  became. suddenly 
grave,  and  bowed  to  the  ground  three  times. 

"How  is  this?  Are  the  dogs  tired  of  their  lives, 
that  they  venture  to  make  this  imseemly  uproar 
within  the  very  hearing  of  the  Son  of  Heaven  him- 
self?" said  that  officer  angrily. 

"  Truly,  the  all-powerful  Yin  would  risk  his  flow- 
ery existence,  laughing  at  this  paper  tiger,  who  is 
mad  enough  to  demand  an  audience  with  the  Son  of 
Heaven,"  replied  one  of  the  mandarins.  Before, 
however,  the  chief  of  the  eunuchs  could  reply,  the 
person  in  question  had  thrown  himself  at  his  feet, 
crying,  "  Pardon,  O  mighty  officer  of  the  palace,  thy 
slave,  who  seeks  a  master  bereft  of  his  senses,  and 
who  is  now  wandering  about  the  palace  in  search  of 
the  Son  of  Heaven.  May  he  vanquish  his  enemies." 
11 


162  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

"  Thou,  tlien,  art  the  servant  of  this  dog  who  has 
profaned  the  imperial  gardens?"  said  the  chief  of 
the  eunuchs ;  adding,  before  Nicholas  could  inter- 
fere for  Chow,  "  Let  the  dog  be  taken  to  the  prison, 
as  he  will  doubtless  be  strangled  with  his  master 
when  the  will  of  the  Emperor  is  known." 

"Then,  in  obedience  to  this  command,  the  boy 
i^as  hurried  away,  and  Nicholas  led  forward  to  the 
jourt  of  the  inner  palace. 


ASSEMBLY   OF   THE   PEINCES  163 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

ASSEMBLY    OF  THE    GREAT    PRINCES   OF  THE    EMPIRE. 

The  audience-chamber  of  the  Emperor  was  a  vast 
square  hall  of  great  height.  The  ceiling  was  of  pale 
green,  sculptured  in  devices,  and  decorated  with 
paintings,  charged  at  intervals  with  the  Emperor's 
ci'cst  in  gold.  The  walls  were  smooth  and  without 
other  ornament  than  the  carved  window  frame,  which 
was  set  with  panes  of  richly  painted  paper.  The  roof 
was  supported  by  rows  of  columns,  elaborately  sculp- 
tured and  japanned,  which  rested  upon  a  pavement 
of  the  rarest  veined  marble,  of  so  high  a  polish  that  it 
reflected  the  whole  interior. 

In  the  centre  stood  a  lofty  alcove,  above  which,  up- 
on a  drapery  of  yellow  silk,  were  embossed  in  pale  blue 
enamel  the  words  "  Ching  Hoang,"  (Holy  Emperor). 
Beneath,  upon  a  dais,  ascended  by  a  flight  of  broad 
steps  was  a  throne  of  frosted  gold,  surmounted  and 
upheld  by  dragons  of  the  same  metal,  but  burnished, 
and  whose  claws  rested  upon  a  carpet  of  blue  velvet, 
besprinkled  with  the  same  monsters  in  silver. 

Opposite  the  throne  upon  a  raised  platform,  were 
placed  several  vessels  of  the  precious  metals,  filled 
with  incense,  which,  as  it  burned,  sent  forth  a  deli- 
cious perfume,  and  candlesticks  ingeniously  wrought 
into  the  shape  of  animals. 


164  THE   WAR  TIG  Ell. 

From  the  throne  to  the  end  of  the  wall,  ranged  so 
as  to  form  an  alley,  stood  the  great  officers  of  state, 
attired  m  large  flowing  robes  of  silk,  flounced  with 
gold,  and  bearing  on  their  breasts  the  insignia  of  their 
different  dignities;  those  belonging  to  the  military 
department  wearing  golden  buttons  on  their  caps  and 
tigers  or  lions  on  their  breasts,  while  the  civil  officers, 
who  were  of  higher  rank,  wore  birds  in  place  of 
beasts.  At  tjie  back  of  these  mandarins  were  other 
officers,  bearing  umbrellas  of  silk  brocade,  fringed 
with  gold ;  there  were  also  many  who  wore  the  but- 
ton of  an  inferior  rank,  and  who  wore  large  fans  of 
silk,  embroidered  with  gold ;  others  with  large  stand- 
ards, sprinkled  with  golden  stars,  dragons,  the  sun,  and 
the  moon  in  all  its  quarters,  to  represent  the  twenty- 
eight  mansions  of  the  heavens,  and  their  conjunctions 
and  oppositions  with  the  sun,  as  they  appear  in  the 
intersections  of  the  circles,  which  the  astronomers  call 
the  dragon's  head  and  tail.  Near  the  walls  stood  a 
number  of  mandarins  of  inferior  rank,  both  civU  and 
miUtary,  bearing  maces,  axes,  hammers,  and  swords. 
Upon  the  steps  of  the  throne  stood  the  princes  of 
the  blood,  attired  in  the  costumes  of  their  civil  or 
mihtary  rank,  the  only  tokens  of  their  imperial  blood, 
being  the  large  yellow  or  red  girdle,  and  the  circle  in- 
slead  of  the  square  in  which  the  bird  or  beast  is  worn 
upon  the  breast. 

The  left  hand  being  the  place  of  honor  in  China,  on 
that  side  of  the  throne  stood  the  imperial  but  unfortu 
uate  Prince,  Yong-Li,  a  youth  of  fifteen  years  of  age, 
near  to  whom  stood  the  aged  Woo,  whose  office,  that 


ASSEMBLY   OF  THE   PRINCES.  165 

of  a  colao  or  censor,  was  at  once  the  most  dangerous 
and  most  popular  in  the  empire,  his  duty  being  to 
check  the  great  mandarins,  and  even  the  Emperor 
himself,  in  the  wrong  exercise  of  their  authority. 
This  officer  may  be  termed  the  representative  of  tha 
public  opinion  in  China  which  moulds  its  irresponsi- 
ble despotism  somewhat  to  the  shape  of  a  constitu- 
tional government.  One  step  lower,  in  the  full  cos- 
tume of  tsong-tou  (a  great  viceroy),  stood  the  Prince 
Woo-san-Kwei.  This  prince  was  the  son  of  the  cen- 
sor Woo,  and  one  of  the  most  remarkable  men  of  his 
time.  He  was  tall  and  stately,  and,  like  the  rest  of 
the  nobles  of  the  Ming  dynasty,  wore  his  hair  in  long 
and  luxuriant  tresses ;  moreover,  like  his  parent  Woo, 
he  wore  the  circle  upon  his  breast,  and  around  his 
waist  the  girdle  of  red,  which  betokened  him  to  be 
of  the  second  rank  of  the  princes  of  the  blood.  Upon 
the  opposite  side  of  the  throne,  and  one  step  nearer, 
as  became  his  closer  relationship  to  the  monarch, 
stood  the  first  prince  of  the  yellow  girdle,  Li-Kong,  a 
man  whose  influence  upon  those  tempestuous  times 
was  as  remai'kable  for  bad  as  that  of  Woo-san-Kwei 
was  for  good  ;  he  was  also  a  tang-tou. 

Next  this  prince,  in  their  robes  of  office,  stood  the 
colaos,  or  ministers  of  state,  and  with  them  an  officer 
whose  bird-embroidered  robe  and  cap  betokened  him 
a  mandarin  of  letters  of  the  highest  rank  in  the  great 
college  of  Han-Lin.  This  officer  was  tutor  to  the  heir 
to  the  throne,  but  in  addition  held  an  office  so  pecu- 
liar that  I  do  not  think  you  will  accuse  me  of  tedious- 
uess  if  I  tell  you  something  about  it.     He  was  tha 


166  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

chief  historian  of  the  empire,  an  appointment  which, 
if  carried  out  with  similar  integrity,  would  be  credit- 
able to  other  empires  besides  China. 

"These  historians,"  says  a  writer  who  resided 
within  the  walls  of  the  palace  thirty  years,  "  consist 
of  a  certain  number  of  men,  who,  for  their  learning 
and  impartiality  are  purposely  chosen  for  this  office. 
Their  business  is  to  observe  narrowly  not  only  the 
actions  but  the  words  of  the  Emperor,  which,  without 
communication  with  the  others,  each  must  write  upon 
a  loose  piece  of  paper,  and  put  it  through  a  chink  in- 
to an  office  set  apart  for  the  purpose. 

"  In  these  papers  both  the  Emperor's  \nrtues  and 
faults  are  set  down  with  the  same  liberty  and  impar- 
tiahty.  'Such  a  day,'  say  they,  'the  Emperor's  be- 
havior was  unseasonable  and  intemperate;  he  spoke 
after  a  manner  which  became  not  his  dignity.  The 
punishment  which  he  inflicted  on  such  an  officer  was 
rather  the  effisct  of  his  passion  than  the  result  of  his 
justice.  In  such  an  affiiir,  he  stopped  the  sword  of 
justice,  and  abrogated  the  just  sentence  of  the  magis- 
trate.' Or  else,  '  The  Emperor  entered  courageously 
into  a  war  for  the  defence  of  his  jDCople  and  for  the 
maintainance  of  the  honor  of  his  empire ;  and,  not- 
withstanding the  commendations  given  him  by  his 
flatterers,  he  was  not  pufied  up,  but  behaved  himself 
modestly,  his  words  were  temj^ered  with  all  the 
BAveetness  and  humility  possible,  which  made  bim 
more  loved  and  admired  by  his  court  than  ever.' 

"  Such  is  the  way  in  which  they  record  down  all 
that  occurs ;  but  that  neither  fear  on  the  one  ^ide,  nor 


ASSEMBLY   OF   THE   PRINCES.  167 

hope  on  the  other,  may  bias  men  to  give  a  partial  re- 
cord of  the  Emperor,  the  office  wherein  these  papers 
are  kept  is  never  opened  during  the  life  of  the  sover- 
eign, or  while  any  of  his  family  sit  upon  the  throne. 
When,  however,  the  imperial  dignity  passes  into  an- 
other family,  all  these  loose  memoirs  are  gathered 
together,  compared,  and  a  history  composed,  that 
either  hands  down  the  Emperor  as  an  example  to 
posterity,  or  exposes  him  to  the  censure  and  odium  of 
the  nation,  if  he  has  been  negligent  of  his  own  duty  and 
his  people's  good.  Thus  is  it  the  interest  of  the  Em- 
peror to  be  circumspect,  and  cautious  how  he  behaves 
himself  during  his  reign," 

With  reference  to  the  history  of  events  and  the 
progress  of  the  people  generally,  it  is  the  custom  for 
e^ch  city  to  keep  an  exact  record  of  every  memorable 
event  as  it  happens,  its  most  remarkable  places  and 
inhabitants,  good  or  bad;  moreover,  of  their  man- 
ners and  customs ;  and  although  there  are  many  who, 
by  offering  bribes  to  the  governor,  obtain  honorable 
mention  in  these  annals,  upon  the  whole  the  accounts 
are  considered  to  be  tolerably  accurate,  for  at  the  end 
of  every  foi'ty  years  the  mandarins  of  every  city  as- 
semble and  examine  the  accounts,  and  expunge  what 
they  deem  unfit  to  remain  recorded. 

Theoretically,  the  will  of  the  emperor  is  the  only 
law  ;  the  lives,  fortunes,  and  worldly  happiness  of  his 
subjects  depend  upon  its  wildest  caprice ;  but,  in 
reality,  it  is  only  theoretically,  for  in  the  words  of 
another  great  authority,  who  not  only  resided  at  the 
oourt  of  Pekin  some  thirty  years,  but  absolutely  held 


168  THE  WAR  TIGER 

office  therein.  "  One  would  imagine  that  this  unlim 
ited  power  of  the  Emperor  would  often  occasion  very 
unfortunate  events  in  the  government,  and  indeed  it 
sometimes  hath,  as  nothing  in  this  world  is  without 
its  alloy  of  inconvenience,  yet  so  many  are  the  prori- 
Bions  and  so  wise  the  precautions  which  the  laws 
have  pescribed  to  prevent  them,  that  a  prince  must 
be  wholly  insensible  of  his  own  reputation  and  even 
interest,  as  well  as  the  public  good,  who  continues 
long  in  the  abuse  of  his  authority ;  for  if  he  hath  any 
regard  for  his  own  reputation,  there  are  three  things 
which  will  prevail  with  him  to  govern  by  justice,  not 
passion  :  first,  the  old  laws,  given  from  the  foundation 
of  the  empire,  have  laid  it  down  as  a  standing  maxim, 
that  kings  are  properly  the  fathers  of  their  people, 
a7id  not  masters  placed  upon  the  throne  only  to  he 
served  by  slaves.  The  words  in  italics  contain  a  doc- 
trine, by  the  way,  that  our  first  James  strived  so 
hard  to  inculcate,  that  it  ultimately  led  to  a  revolu- 
tion in  England,  not  very  dissimilar  to  that  in  China, 
of  which  I  am  now  writing.  Such  having  been  the 
teaching  of  those  law-givers,  Confucius  and  others, 
who  are  to  the  present  day  venerated  as  deities  in 
China,  the  Emperor's  proudest  title  of  honor  has  been 
in  all  ages  Ta-fou"  (that  is,  grandfather). 

This  theory  of  what  the  Emperor  should  be,  is  so 
deeply  imprinted  in  the  minds  of  the  people  and  the 
mandarins,  that,  when  they  ofier  praises,  whether  de- 
served or  not,  it  is  based  upon  his  presumed  afiection 
for  his  people.  The  teachers  and  philosophers  con- 
tinually set  forth  in  their  books  that  the  state  is  but  9 


ASSEMBLY  OF  THE   PRINCES.  169 

large  family,  and  that  he  who  knows  how  to  govern 
the  one  is  best  capable  of  govemmg  the  other ;  so 
that,  if  the  Emperor  neglects,  never  so  Uttle,  the 
practice  of  this  maxim,  he  may  be  a  great  warrior,  an 
able  politician,  a  learned  man,  and  yet  meet  with 
neither  love  nor  esteem  from  his  people.  Indeed, 
they  value  him  only  as  they  believe  he  is,  or  is  not,  a 
father  to  them. 

Thus,  as  I  have  shown  you,  not  only  the  censor^ 
but,  in  a  lesser  degree,  every  mandarin  may  tell  the 
Emperor  of  his  faults,  provided  it  be  in  a  manner 
agreeable  to  that  veneration  and  profound  respect 
which  is  due  to  his  office.  The  manner,  however,  in 
which  this  is  done,  is  somewhat  roundabout.  The 
mandarin  who  perceives  any  thing  in  the  Emperor's 
conduct  contrary  to  the  maxims  laid  down  in  the 
sacred  books,  draws  up  a  request,  in  which,  after 
having  set  forth  the  respect  which  he  bears  toward 
his  majesty,  he  most  humbly  prays  that  he  will  please 
to  reflect  upon  the  ancient  laws  and  good  examples 
of  his  great  predecessors.  This  request  lies  upon  a 
a  table  among  many  other  petitions,  which  are  daily 
presented  and  which  the  Emperor  is  obliged  to  read; 
and  if  he  does  not  change  his  conduct,  the  petition  is 
repeated  again  and  again  till  the  end  has  been  gained, 
or  the  mandarm  himself  punished  for  his  presump- 
tion. The  latter,  however,  never  happens,  except 
with  bad  and  tyrannical  Emperors. 


170  THE   WAR  TIGER. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE   BOY   PKINCE   AND   THE   RIVAL   GENERALS. 

Thus  were  the  great  princes  and  lords  of  China 
awaiting  the  coming  of  their  hnperial  master,  and 
with  something  hke  impatience,  for  often,  of  late,  had 
his  majesty  kept  them  waiting  for  hours,  and  then 
granted  no  audience  at  all.  Such,  however,  was  not 
to  be  the  case  then,  for  soon  the  sounds  of  wind  in- 
struments were  heai-d,  pages  and  eunuchs  entered 
from  the  door  which  led  to  the  imperial  apartment, 
followed  by  the  favorite  body  attendants  of  the  sove- 
reign, then  the  Emperor  himself; — and  the  mandarins 
in  the  body  of  the  hall,  and  the  lords  upon  the  steps 
of  the  throne,  bent  their  heads  tiU  their  foreheads 
touched  the  floors,  in  which  position  they  remained, 
awaiting  the  command  of  the  monarch  to  arise. 
Wey-t-song,  the  last  of  the  Ming  Emperors,  was  of 
middle  height  and  spare  figure,  at  least  for  a  Chi- 
nese, whose  notion  of  manly  beauty  consists  of  large 
and  bulky  form  ;  he  was  attired  in  a  robe  of  yellow 
KJlk,  embroiderered  with  five-clawed  dragons,  a  neck- 
lace of  costly  pearls,  and  a  golden  girdle  fastened 
around  his  waist  by  a  jcAveled  clasp;  his  high  cap  or 
crown  of  purple  satin,  sparkled  with  jewels,  and  was 
decorated  with  the  peacock's  feather,  which  fell  upon 


THE   BOY   PEINCE.  171 

his  long  black  hair;  his  Loots  were  of  purple  satin, 
and  fitted  tightly  to  the  shape  of  the  feet ;  as  for  his 
hands,  they  were  hidden  beneath  the  folds  of  his 
robe. 

When  the  Emperor  had  seated  himself  upon  the 
throne,  a  graceful  movement  with  his  ample  sleeves 
gave  the  sign  for  the  kneeling  courtiers  to  arise,  and 
they  stood  with  their  arms  straightened  and  eyes 
turned  upon  the  ground,  pretending  that  the  sight  of 
so  much  majesty  was  too  dazzling  for  their  vision. 

Thus,  for  a  time,  all  was  silent,  till  the  censor  Woo, 
falling  upon  his  knees,  and  holding  above  his  head  his 
silver  seal  of  office,  gravely  said,  "  Since  our  lord  has 
vouchsafed  us  his  heavenly  audience,  and  the  door  of 
the  imperial  apartments  is  no  longer  disfigured  by  the 
audience-denying  tablet,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  meanest 
of  his  slaves  to  open  his  lips,  even  at  the  risk  of  his 
life." 

"Rise,  thou  venerable  noble,  for  it  is  not  seemly 
that  one  who  is  at  age's  extremity  should  kneel,  even 
before  the  Emperor.  Rise,  noble  Woo,  for  thy  years 
demand  that  thy  petition  should  be  heard  standing," 
said  Wey-t-song,  aiding  the  aged  man  to  his  feet. 

"  Alas  !  dread  prince,  thy  servant's  days  have  been 
too  Ions:,  for  he  has  lived  to  see  a  successor  of  the 
great  Emperors,  Yu  and  Yaou,  forget  that  Heaven 
had  made  him  the  father  of  his  people,"  said  Woo^ 
sadly, 

"  What  words  are  these  ?  Surely  the  noble  Woo 
presumes  upon  his  age,  for  has  it  not  been  wisely  saij 
that  the  will  of  the  Emperor  is  omnipotent  ?" 


172  THE   WAR   TIGER. 

"  It  is  written  in  the  sacred  books,  O  prince,  that  it 
is  equally  criminal  in  the  Emperor  and  the  subject  to 
violate  the  laws.  Truly  the  life  of  the  minister  is  the 
property  of  his  sovereign,  but  the  dignity  of  his  office 
belongs  to  the  country,  which  is  even  now  torn  into 
shreds  by  maladministration,"  replied  the  firm  old 
noble ;  adding,  "  For  when  the  Emperor  becomes 
negligent  of  his  duty,  and  sinks  into  a  lover  of  luxury 
and  ease,  the  spirit  of  indolence  must  pervade  the 
occupant  of  every  mandrinate  ;  so,  at  the  present  time, 
every  viceroy  and  governor  has  grown  to  think  him- 
self the  sovereign,  instead  of  the  father  and  teacher 
of  his  province ;  each  minister,  in  defiance  of  the  law, 
sells  places  to  those  unfit  to  occupy  them ;  and  thus  the 
people,  being  oppressed,  have  arisen  in  rebellion  over 
the  empire,  to  the  advantage  of  rogues  and  thieves, 
who  await  but  the  finding  of  some  bold  bad  man 
to  enable  them  to  change,  O  prince,  thy  very  dynasty. 
Yet  surely  this  is  not  without  cause,  for  hath  it  not 
been  asked,  '  Why  hath  Heaven  placed  the  Emperor 
upon  the  throne,  if  not  to  be  our  parent  ?'  and  there- 
fore he  ought  not  to  make  himself  feared,  but  in  pro- 
portion as  he  deserves  to  be  loved  for  his  goodness 
and  virtue  ;  therefore,  at  the  risk  of  his  life,  the  cen- 
sor dares  tell  his  dread  sovereign  that  while  the  peo- 
ple are  sufiering,  the  Emperor  should  forget  his 
pleasures,  fast  in  his  palace,  punish  the  offending 
mandarins,  remit  the  taxes  of  the  suffering  provinces, 
and  employ  his  whole  thoughts  in  alleviating  their  mis- 
fortunes. Like  the  Emperors  of  old,  he  should  la« 
ment  night  and  day  till  the  evils  are  remedied.   Such 


THE  BOY   PlilNCE.  173 

are  the  words  of  the  aged  "Woo,  who  hath  lived 
through  the  reigns  of  six  of  thy  illustrious  predeces- 
sors, and  they  have  been  called  forth,  O  dread  prince, 
by  thy  neglect  of  the  petitions  which  he  has  laid  upon 
the  imperial  table.  If  thy  slave  offendeth,  0  prince, 
let  his  worthless  head  be  the  penalty,  for  he  has  done 
his  duty ;  and  the  old  noble  again  fell  at  the  feet  of 
Wey-t-song,  who,  giving  way  to  a  paroxysm  of  pas- 
sion, rose,  and,  placing  his  hand  upon  the  hilt  of  his 
sabre,  exclaimed,  "  What  words  are  these  old  man  ? 
Is  the  Emperor  a  slave  that  thou  darest  so  far  ?"  But, 
despot  and  even  cruel  as  he  was,  the  age  and  daring 
of  the  old  noble  had  excited  in  the  eyes  of  the  sur- 
rounding courtiers  such  unmistakable  gleams  of  satis- 
faction, that,  really  afraid  of  proceeding  to  extremi- 
ties, he  fell  back  upon  his  throne,  saying,  "  Ai-ise, 
noble  Woo,  and  that  in  the  licence  of  thy  oiEce  thou 
hast  uttered  words  of  wind  against  thy  Emperor,  the 
rebel-subduing  General  Li-Kong  will  testify." 

Upon  this,  the  Prince  Li-Kong,  falling  upon  his 
knees,  said,  "  Truly,  O  august  and  sovereign  Emper- 
or, the  age  of  the  noble  Woo  must  have  diminished 
his  eye-balls,  or  he  would  have  seen  in  the  Imperial 
Gazette  that  the  Emperor,  our  father,  having  heard 
of  the  rebeUion  in  the  provinces,  had  despatched  his 
mean  servant,  myself,  with  a  correcting  army,  and  that 
thy  unworthy  relation  had  secured  a  lasting  internal 
peace." 

"  And  thy  reward,  prince  ?"  said  the  Emperor  ?" 
"  The  generalship  of  the  home  armies,  and  the  favor 
of  my  great  sovereign,  who  will  not  open  his  heavenly 


174  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

ears  to  the  words  of  these  rogues,  who  accuse  tbj 
servant  and  meau  relation  of  ingi-atitude  and  treason." 

"  This  reminds  us  that  the  reward  is  inadequate  to 
thy  services,  most  princely  Li.  Let  it  therefore  be 
proclaimed  throughout  the  empire  that  the  grateful 
Wey-t-song  is  about  to  bestow  upon  the  kingdom- 
soothing  Prince  Li-Kong  the  hand  of  his  only  daugh- 
ter in  marriage,"  said  the  Emperor, 

But  before  the  prince  could  thank  the  Emperor,  tht» 
General  Woo-san-Kwei  fell  upon  his  knees  before  the 
throne,  saying,  "  The  humblest  but  most  devoted  of 
thy  servants  would  dare  to  claim  the  heavenly  ears  of 
his  most  august  prince." 

"  If  the  barbarian-subduing  general  has  aught  to 
counsel  let  him  open  his  lips." 

"  Then,  truly,  0  dread  Emperor,  it  must  be  at  the 
risk  of  my  life  ;  for  so  many  moons  has  thy  servant 
been  engaged  in  defending  the  frontiers  of  the  empire 
against  the  Tartar  barbarians,  that  he  has  lost  the 
submissive  tones  fitted  to  thy  heavenly  ears,"  said 
Woo-san-Kwei. 

"  Let  the  general  open  his  lips,  for  although  his 
words  may  be  more  warlike,  they  cannot  be  rebel- 
lious, like  those  of  his  noble  parent." 

"The  words  of  the  noble  Woo  flowed  from  hig 
heart,  O  prince,  and  were  approved  by  his  son,  who 
now,  as  in  duty  bound,  would  counsel  his  sovereign, 
that,  although  the  services  of  the  rebel-exterminating 
general  have  been  great,  his  reward  has  been  greater 
than  his  merits,  for  does  he  not  hold  the  golden  seals 
of  the  highest  military  command  ?     As  for  the  pria- 


THE    BOY    PRINCE.  175 

cess,  she  is  the  daughter  of  the  empire,  and  too  ex- 
alted to  be  bestowed  upon  the  noble  Li-Kong.  Re- 
member O  Emperor,  it  will  be  the  duty  of  the  histo- 
rians to  record  that  the  Emperor  Wey-t-song,  instead 
of  commanding,  had  been  weak  enough  to  purchase 
the  services  of  a  powerful  lord,  tainted  with  treason, 
with  the  only  daughter  of  his  house ;  setting  aside 
the  wise  custom  of  his  ancestors,  who  bestowed  their 
daughters  upon  tributary  kings,  whereby  alliances 
were  formed  for  the  prosperity  of  the  empire,"  said 
the  Prince  Woo-san-Kwei ;  adding,  "At  the  risk  of 
his  life  has  thy  servant  spoken,  O  prince,  for  fear  that 
thy  jtoo  great  generosity  may  smear  thy  page  in  his- 
tory." 

"  Scarcely  dissembling  his  enmity,  Li-Kong  spoke, 
"  Truly  my  sovereign  is  too  generous  to  permit  the 
envy  of  his  servant's  enemies  to  have  weight  in  his 
dragon  ears." 

"The  kingdom-soothing  general  speaks  well,  for 
who  is  this  turliulent  lord,  and  what  the  value  of  his 
services,  that  he  dares  be  so  rebelUous?"  said  the 
Emperor;  adding,  angrily,  "Let  the  dog  be  arrest- 
ed ;  when  the  young  prince  thi'ew  himself  before  the 
throne,  and  said — 

"Let  my  illustrious  parent  not  so  far  forget  his  royal 
dignity  as  to  vent  his  anger  upon  the  honest  Woo- 
san-Kwei,  who  has  saved  the  kingdom  from  the  Tartars, 
and  offered  his  counsel  only  by  right  of  his  high  rank. 
No,  O  my  sovereign,  rather  let  the  hand  of  my  dear 
sister  be  withheld  until. the  Prince  Li  has  furthei 
proved  his  merits,  by  showing  to  his  Emperor  that 


176        •  THE   WAK  TIGEK. 

he  has  really  performed  those  wonderful  feats  of  con 
quest  which  he  now  boasts,  but  all  others  deny." 

At  this  speech  a  half-suppressed  murmur  of  appro- 
bation  rang  through  the  hall,  which  brought  a  heavy 
frown  upon  the  forehead  of  Wey-t-song.  As,  howev- 
er, he  really  feared  a  quarrel  with  either  of  these 
powerful  princes,  he  said,  "  Though  young,  the  words 
of  the  Prince  Yong-Li  are  wise,  for  it  is  not  fitting 
that  our  people  should  be  feasting  and  rejoicing  at 
the  marriage  of  our  daughter,  while  it  is  not  certain 
that  the  rebels  are-subdued,  and  the  Tartars  upon 
the  frontiers.  It  is,  therefore  our  will  that  our 
daughter's  hand  be  withheld  till  entire  peace,  be 
restored." 

Then  the  whole  court  bowed  to  the  ground  three 
times  in  submision  to  the  imperial  will,  and  the 
Emperor  moved  the  sleeves  of  his  robe,  as  a  token 
that  the  audience  was  at  an  end,  when  the  chief  of 
the  eunuchs  ran  quickly  up  the  avenue  formed  by  the 
court,  till  he  reached  about  half  way,  when  he  stood 
with  his  head  erect  and  his  arms  by  his  side  for  a 
minute,  then  having  performed  the  usual  prostrations, 
he  ran  to  the  foot  of  the  throne,  where  he  threw 
himself  upon  his  knees. 

"  Is  the  slave  mad,  that  he  dares  intrude  in  this  our 
highest  council-chamber  ?"  said  the  Emper*>r. 

"  The  life  of  the  slave  is  in  the  hands  of  his  master, 
yet  must  he  perform  his  duty.  Treason  is  within 
the  very  walls,  O  my  sovereign." 

At  the  word  treason  the  blood  of  Taitsou  be- 
came weak  as  water,  for  the  royal  face  became  ibii^ 


THE   BOY   PKINCE.  177 

with  fear.  He  grasped  Ms  sabre,  saying,  "What 
says  the  slave?"    • 

"  Two  boys,  O  dread  sovereign,  have  been  found 
within  the  prohibited  wall ;  one  even  within  the  sa- 
cred precincts  of  the  imperial  gardens." 

At  the  words  two  boys  there  was  a  half-suppressed 
titter,  probably  at  the  little  cause  the  Emperor  had 
had  to  fear ;  but  at  the  mention  of  the  garden  of  the 
inner  palace,  the  aged  Woo  said,  "  Surely,  O  great 
sovereign,  the  worthy  eunuch  has  overstepped  his 
duty ;  these  young  slaves  should  have  been  handed 
over  to  the  police  tribunals." 

"  The  noble  Woo  is  right,"  replied  the  Emperor. 
"  What  has  the  dog  of  a  eunuch  to  say  for  intruding 
in  our  presence  with  such  matters?" 

"  The  will  of  the  Emperor  is  the  Kfe-blood  of  the 
meanest  of  his  slaves,  and  but  Httle  else  is  that  of 
the  princess  in  whose  presence  one  of  the  dogs  was 
found,  and  at  whose  command  he  is  brought  hither," 
replied  the  trembling  eunuch. 

"  The  profane  slave !"  muttered  the  surrounding 
mandarins,  clutching  the  hilts  of  their  swords. 

"  The  will  of  our  beloved  daughter  is  law ;  let  the 
audacious  slave  be  brought  before  us,"  said  the 
Emperor. 

12 


178  THE  WAR   TIGER. 


CHATTER  XXm. 

AUDIENCE    WITH    THE    SON    OF     HEAVEN. — NICHOLAS 
ACCUSES   A   GREAT  PRINCE   OP  TREASON. 

Nicholas  was  led  into  the  hall  between  two  inferior 
mandarins,  and  had  no  sooner  prostrated  himself  at 
the  foot  of  the  throne,  than  the  Prince  Li-Kong  said, 
"  Surely  the  eyes  of  the  Emperor  of  the  earth  are 
too  holy  to  be  darkened  by  such  mean  dogs  as  this. 
Let  the  common  executioner  deal  with  him,  for  their 
can  be  no  doubt  of  his  guilt." 

"  Stop  not  the  fountain  of  justice  at  its  very  source, 
O  my  sovereign,  for  when  was  it  that  a  good  king 
refused  to  listen  to  the  meanest  of  his  slaves  ?"  said 
Woo ;  but  before  the  Emperor  could  reply,  one  of 
the  great  officers  of  the  palace  ran  up  to  the  steps 
of  the  throne,  performed  the  prostrations,  and  being 
commanded  to  speak, 

"  The  great  and  beautiful  princess,  thy  daughter, 
begs  an  audience  of  her  illustrious  father,"  said  the 
officer. 

The  Emperor  having  signified  his  assent,  the  prin- 
cess, accompanied  by  the  Lady  Candida,  and  both 
veiled,  knelt  before  the  Emperor,  who,  lifting  her 
from  her  kneeling  position,  said  affectionately,  "Truly 
my  daughter  must  have  matter  of  weighty  import 


THE   SON   OF    HEAVEN.  179 

upon  her  lips,  thus  to  break  through  the  delicacy  of 
her  sex  and  rank." 

"Pardon,  great  prince,  if  thy  daughter  has  forgot- 
ten what  is  due  either  to  her  parent  or  her  sex,  but 
it  is  a  common  saying,  'that  those  who  forget  favors 
conferred  upon  them  are  unfit  to  live,'  and  therefore 
thy  daughter  would  protect  the  life  of  one  who  saved 
her  from  a  cruel  death,"  said  the  princess. 

"  Has  the  safety  of  the  pearl  of  my  life  been  en- 
dangered ?"  said  the  Emperoi*,  trembling  at  the  pos- 
sibility of  such  a  catastrophe,  and  placing  his  hands 
upon  her  head ;  adding,  "  What  Avords  are  these,  my 
daughter,  for  is  not  the  empire  crowded  with  those 
who  would  deem  happiness  if  it  were  to  save  their 
princess  from  danger." 

"  Not  one  of  whom  could  have  saved  her  from  the 
savage  sin-fin,  who,  having  escaped  from  his  cage, 
had  seized  her,  when  yonder  bold  youth  slew  the 
beast." 

The  Lady  Candida  then  described  the  whole  scene 
in  the  gardens  to  the  Emperor,  who  forgetful  of  the 
desecration  of  the  place  by  the  profane  feet  of 
Nicholas,  nay,  of  every  thing  but  the  escape  of  his 
beloved  child  from  a  fearful  death,  commanded  the 
release  of  Nicholas ;  but  again  the  general  Li-Kong 
stepped  forward. 

"  It  is  true,"  said  he,  "  that  the  beautiful  and  illus- 
trious princess  has  been  saved  from  great  peril,  and 
the  whole  empire  will  rejoice;    yet  it  is  a  maxim, 
that  the  laws  should  be  enforced  even  upon  the  im- 
perial kindred.'     Moreover,  my  sovereign,  in  his  gen 


180  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

erosity,  forgets  that  the  cage  of  the  beast  could  not 
have  opened  itself,  and  that  the  slave  merits  death 
for  being  in  the  garden." 

"  Though  not  generous,  the  words  of  the  rebel-ex- 
terminating general  are  just,"  replied  the  weak 
prince ;  adding,  to  Nicholas,  sternly,  "  What  says  the 
boy ;  what  traitorous  errand  brought  him  within  the 
sacred  gardens  of  our  palace  ?" 

"  The  Hfe  of  the  slave  belongs  to  the  master.  The 
personal  safety  of  thy  servant,  O  great  prince,  was 
nothing  when  he  desired  to  place  in  thy  hands  a  let- 
ter of  the  greatest  moment,  from  one  far  greater  than 
the  lords  around  thy  throne." 

"These  are  wild  words,  O  youth;  for  know  you 
not  that  it  was  the  duty  of  our  chief  colao  to  receive 
thy  letter  ?  said  the  Emj^eror,  interrupting. 

"  Mean  as  is  thy  servant,  O  pi-ince,  he  knew  that 
treason  was  within  the  palace,  and  that  the  letter 
would  never  reach  thy  royal  hands  ;  therefore,  that  it 
should  not  fail  to  do  so,  I  sought  the  imperial  gar- 
dens with  the  daring  hope  of  meeting  thy  royal 
daughter,  knowing  that  if  my  life  were  sacrificed,  my 
mission  would  be  fulfilled,"  said  Nicholas;  adding, 
"  Such  has  been  the  crime,  and  the  criminal  awaits  his 
punishment." 

"  This  letter,"  said  the  Emperor. 

"Is  here,  great  prince,"  and  Nicholas  present- 
ed the  document  to  Wey-t-song,  who  tore  open  the 
seals,  and  for  some  minutes  became  lost  in  the  perusal 
of  its  contents,  after  which,  to  the  surprise  of  the 
court,  he  placed  it  beneath  his  vest,  saying,  "This 


THE   SON   OF   HEAVEN  181 

letter  must  be  for  the  consideration  of  our  inner  coun- 
cil. Youth,  thy  honesty  and  loyalty  are  beyond 
doubt,  and  we  permit  thee  to  name  thy  own  reward." 

"  Thy  slave,  O  prince,  would  ask  one  so  great,  that 
the  greatest  of  thy  tributaries  would  seek  it  upon  his 
knees,"  was  the  reply,  to  the  astonishment  of  the 
lords,"  who  expected  it  would  be  nothing  less  than 
the  hand  of  the  princess.  "  No  less,  indeed,  than  a 
private  audience,"  added  Nicholas,  which,  with  a 
smile  at  this  novel  and  modest  request,  the  Emperor 
granted. 

"  May  this  not  be  a  trap,  O  my  prince,  to  beguile 
thy  person  within  reach  of  the  assassin's  dagger  ?" 
said  the  artful  but  baffled  Li-Kong. 

"  The  dagger  to  be  feared  by  thy  sovereign,  base 
prince,  is  beneath  thine  own  vest,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  Dares  the  dog  so  far  ?"  said  the  exasperated 
Li-Kong. 

"  Forget  not  thy  dignity,  O  noble  Li,"  said  "Woo- 
san-Kwei,  touching  that  prince  upon  the  shoulder,  and 
adding,  "  Yet  it  is  but  just  that  such  an  assertion, 
made  in  the  very  presence  of  the  Emperor,  should  be 
verified." 

The  Emperor  came  to  the  rescue,  saying,  "  Open 
thy  lips,  youth,  for,  well  as  we  think  of  thy  honesty, 
thou  hast  uttered  words  against  the  noblest  of  our 
yellow  girdles,  which  as  they  are  true  or  false  merit 
reward  or  punishment." 

Thus  challenged  Nicholas  fell  upon  his  knees,  and 
related  his  adventure  at  the  palace  of  retirement,  de- 
clai-inff  that  the  two  men  were  plotting  the  dethi'one. 


182  THE   "WAR   TIGER. 

ment  of  the  Emperor,  and  that  the  chief  of  the  two 
was  the  Prince  Li-Kong  himself.  At  this  bold  and 
circumstantial  accusation,  the  young  Prince  Yong-Li 
and  the  great  lords  on  the  steps  of  the  throne,  j^laced 
their  hands  upon  their  swords,  and  alternately  glanc- 
ing at  Li-Kong  and  Nicholas,  awaited  the  command 
of  the  Emperor  to  seize  either  accuser  or  accused. 
For  an  instant  the  lips  of  Li-Kong  quivered  with  fear 
or  rage,  but,  recovering  his  equanimity,  he  gave  a 
signal  with  his  hand,  when  a  large  body  of  military 
mandarins  came  around  him,  and  fell  upon  their  knees 
before  the  Emperor,  when  Li  said,  "  Are  the  services 
of  thy  servant  so  soon  forgotten,  have  the  rebels 
been  no  sooner  chastised,  and  peace  restored  within 
the  empire,  that  the  exterminator  and  his  officers 
should  be  as  mice  before  the  words  of  this  less  than 
a  dog  ?  O  my  sovereign !  let  these  officers  be  ques- 
tioned, and  they  will  prove  that  on  the  night  of  which 
the  dog  speaks,  their  general  was  engaged  in  discover- 
ing a  new  conspiracy  among  the  Fan-Kwi  priests." 

"  AVhat  words  are  these,  O  prince  ?"  said  the  Em- 
peror, whose  alarm  had  been  artfully  turned  in  an- 
other direction.  "Have  we  not  honored  these 
priests,  even  to  making  their  chief  the  president  of 
our  high  board  of  mathematics  ?" 

"  Yet  such  is  the  ingratitude  of  the  barbarians,  O 
my  Emperor,  that,  in  league  with  the  outer  barba- 
rians, they  seek  to  overthrow  the  empire." 

"  Let  my  guards  instantly  secure  every  villain 
priest  within  the  walls  of  the  city,"  said  the  terrified 
Emperor. 


THE  SON  OF  HEAVEN.  183 

"  Thy  slaves  have  been  diligent,  and  thy  command 
anticipated,  O  Emperor ;  the  miserable  chief  of  the 
mathematics  and  his  brethren  have  been  carried  be- 
fore the  three  tribunals,  their  guilt  proved,  and  most 
mercifully  adjudged  to  be  strangled  ;  the  sentence 
but  awaits  the  vermilion  pencil  of  the  Emperor,"  said 
Li-Kong. 

"  The  judges  have  failed  in  the  duties  of  their  office 
bv  so  mild  a  sentence,  for  which  let  them  all  be  de- 
graded  three  degrees  of  rank,  and  the  priest^  be  cut 
into  ten  thousand  pieces,"  said  the  Emperor. 

"  If  the  Clime  be  proved,  the  sentence  is  light ;  if 
not,  terrible  must  be  thy  remorse,  O  my  sovereign, 
for  the  learned  father's  services  have  been  great. 
Surely,  then,  thy  wisdom  alone  should  seek  to  dis- 
cover the  guilt  or  innocence  of  this  enormous  culj)rit, 
or  much-injured  priest,"  said  Woo. 

"The  words  of  the  venerable  Woo,  O  my  royal 
father,  are  worthy  of  his  years  and  the  imperial  dig- 
nity; let  not  thy  indignation  rather  than  thy  justice 
adjudge  this  priest,  but  command  that  he  be  brought 
before  thee,"  said  the  young  prince,  earnestly. 

"  Thy  words  are  but  reasonable,  my  son ;  we  will 
examine  the  Christian  dog  ourselves,"  said  the  Em- 
peror. When,  at  a  signal,  the  aged  missionary,  Adam 
Schaal,  was  brought  before  the  throne,  so  laden  with 
iron  chains  that  his  form  was  bent  to  the  shape  of  a 
bow;  still,  with  his  long  white  hair  and  beard,  and 
the  unflinching,  piercing  blue  eye  of  his  German  race, 
he  looked,  as  he  was,  a  willing  martyr  for  the  cause 
of  his  Savicmr. 


184  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

t 

At  the  sight  of  his  old  favorite  thus  humiliated, 
even  the  Emperor  melted  with  pity  and  doubt  as  to 
his  guilt.  "  Can  it  be  mider  heaven,"  said  he,  "  that 
so  holy  a  body  should  contain  so  vile  a  heart  ?  Have 
we  not  protected  and  fostered  thee  and  thy  compan- 
ions in  the  heart  of  our  empire,  giving  thee  permission 
to  build  thy  temples  and  even  to  convert  the  people 
to  thy  religion;  nay,  moreover,  raised  thee  to  the 
first  rank  among  the  learned  ?  Canst  thou  answer, 
thou  villainous  old  man  ?" 

"  It  is  even  these  favors,  O  mighty  Emperor,  that 
have  raised  the  envy  of  the  enemies  of  Christ,  who, 
jealous  of  the  -success  of  thy  servant's  cause,  seek  to 
destroy  him,  that  they  may  triumph  over  his  rehgion  ; 
and  if  their  malice  should  prevail,  the  Christian 
priest  wUl  die  blessing  the  great  Emperor  who  ena- 
bled him  to  do  so  much  good." 

"  What  says  the  accuser  to  these  words  ?"  said  the 
Emperor,  sternly,  more  than  half  beUeving  in  the 
father's  innocence. 

"Stand  forth,  O  Hung,"  said  Li-Kong;  when  a 
mandarin  of  the  second  degi'ee  fell  before  the  throne 
and  held  above  his  head  some  medals,  a  book,  and  a 
chaplet  of  beads,  saying,  "  Are  not  these  proofs  of 
the  old  rogue's  guilt  ?" 

"  They  are,  O  my  sovereign,  the  mysterious  sym- 
bols and  secret  marks  used  by  the  initiated  in  the 
great  conspiracy,  which  is  now  insidiously  spreadmg 
throughout  the  empire,  and  known  to  each  other." 

"  How  !  what  dog's  words  are  these,  thou  ignorant 
slave  ?  Dost  thou  not  know  that  these  are  the  symbols 


THE  SON  OF  HEAVEN.  185 

©f  the  Lord  of  heaven's  religion  ?"  replied  the  Em- 
peror, who,  at  the  beginning  of  his  reign,  having  be- 
friended the  missionaries,  and  made  himself  master  of 
tlie  mysteries  and  symbols  of  their  religion,  was  far 
beyond  most  of  his  nobles  in  intelligence. 

"  It  is  so  alleged,  O  dread  sovereign,  by  the  villains, 
for  their  own  vile  ends,  and  should  it  be  even  so,  the  Son 
of  Heaven  can  not  doubt  this  proof  of  guilt,"  replied 
the  mandarin,  placing  a  letter  in  the  Emperor's  hands. 

For  some  time  there  was  a  dread  silence ;  when, 
however,  the  Emperor  had  perused  the  document,  his 
eye  sparkled  with  rage,  and  he  exclaimed,  "Truly 
the  proof  is  overwhelming,  and  it  is  to  the  viceroy  of 
Quang-Tung  the  Emperor  owes  the  discovery  of  this 
villamy.  Bring  hither  the  petition  of  the  criminal 
tribunal  for  the  villain's  execution.  Moreover,  let  it 
go  forth  through  the  earth  that  every  Christian  dog 
be  exterminated ;"  and  the  court  having  prostrated 
themselves  three  times  in  token  of  obedience,  one  of 
the  colaos  presented  the  petition  or  sentence  to  the 
Emperor,  which  as  he  was  about  to  confirm,  by  affix- 
ing the  signature  of  the  vermilion  pencil,  Nicholas 
threw  himself  at  the  foot  of  the  throne,  crying  at  the 
risk  of  his  life,  "  O  great  Emperor,  thy  slave  dares 
proclaim  the  extreme  vUlainy  of  the  great  viceroy  of 
Quang-Tung,  whose  jealousy  and  envy  of  the  favors 
his  royal  master  has  bestowed  upon  the  good  father 
has  caused  him  to  seek  his  life." 

"  Is  the  boy  pirate  mad  that  he  dares  so  insolently 
presume  upon  his  small  services,  as  to  interrupt  the 
course  of  justice  ?"  exclaimed  the  angry  Emperor. 


186  THE  "WAR  TIGER. 

Taking  from  liis  vest  the  letter  his  father  had  given 
him  fin-  Father  Adam,  Nicholas  said,  boldly,  "  This 
letter,  O  great  sovereign,  thy  servant  was  command- 
ed by  his  parent  to  place  in  the  hands  of  the  priest 
Adam.  Should  it  contain  treason,  the  Emperor  can 
punish  on  the  spot,  for  both  the  priest  and  the  son  of 
the  writer  are  in  his  hands.  Should  it  be  otherwise, 
his  royal  generosity  will  know  how  to  reward." 

No  less  surj^rised  than  appeased  by  the  boy's  ve- 
hemence, Wey-t-song  commanded  the  censor  Woo  to 
proclaim  aloud  its  contents,  to  which  the  nobles,  as 
they  were  friends  or  enemies  of  the  .priests  of  Christ, 
listened  with  divided  attention.  The  document  was 
leugtliy  and  tedious,  and  directed  by  Chin-Chi-Loong, 
the  merchant  of  the  south,  to  his  illustrious  teacher 
and  religious  parent,  the  Father  Adam  Schaal,  warn- 
ing him  that  the  viceroy  of  Quang-Tung,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  bonzes  of  the  court,  whom  he  had 
bribed  at  Pekin,  had  organized  such  a  scheme  that  it 
could  not  fail  to  appear  clear  that  the  Christian  priests 
in  China  were  at  the  head  of  a  conspiracy  to  dethrone 
the  Emperor,  at  whose  feet  he  advised  the  Father 
Adam  immediately  to  prostrate  himself  and  demand 
an  investigation,  promising  speedily  to  send  proofs 
of  the  viceroy's  villainy  to  Pekin. 

"  The  wickedness  of  this  viceroy  must  be  great,  O 
my  sovereign,"  said  "Woo,  when  he  had  concluded. 

"Truly  the  great  father  of  the  empire  will  not 
believe  the  miserable  charge  of  a  wretched  pirate 
against  one  of  his  highest  officers,"  said  Li-Kong 
savagely ;  but  making  an  angry  motion  to  the  pri'ace 


THE   SON  OF  HEAVEN.  187 

for   silence,   the  Emperor    said,    "  What   says    the 
priest  ?" 

"Truth,  O  great  sovereign,  is  deeply  emeshed  in 
falsehood,  that  time  alone  can  unravel ;  yet,  had  that 
letter  reached  thy  swvant's  hands,  his  imperial  mas- 
ter would  have  been  saved  an  act  of  injustice ;  of, 
not  receiving  the  great  merchant's  warning,  the  cruel 
viceroy  succeeded,  the  storm  of  persecution  burst 
over  Hang-tcheou-fou,  the  churches  of  Christ  were 
destroyed,  and  their  priests  loaded  with  chains 
whipped,  tortured  upon  the  rack,  and  otherwise  de 
graded,  it  being  only  by  the  providence  of  the 
Almighty  that  thy  servant  was  enabled  to  escape  and 
reach  Pekin  in  safety — where,  alas  !  the  persecution 
followed,  and  burst  out  with  redoubled  fury;  thy 
servant,  the  head  of  his  Church,  being  the  first  to  feel 
and  glory  that  he  was  the  first  to  sufler  for  iha  cause 
of  Christ." 

"  Can  these  words  be  true,  O  Woo  ?  Has  such 
villainy  taken  place  in  the  land  ?"  said  the  Emperor. 

"  Such  things,  O  great  prince,  have  been  done  in 
thy  holy  name  by  roguish  ministei's,  who  {may  I  be 
pardoned  for  tny  boldness)  have  taken  advantage  of 
the  luxurious  retirement  of  their  Emperor  to  serve 
their  own  vile  ends,"  replied  Woo. 

"Then  be  it  the  care  of  the  upright  censor  to  see  that 
these  miserable  mandarins,  who  have  so  traitorously 
brought  their  Emperor's  name  into  contempt  and  ha- 
tred, be  exterminated  with  their  whole  families,"  said 
Wey-t-song,  who  was  as  impulsive  for  good  as  for  bad. 

"  Surely  my  great  father  may  be  upon  the  brink- of 


188  THE   WAR  TIGEK. 

great  injustice;  he  may  be  sacrificing  the  lives  of 
many  devoted  servants.  It  would  be  but  justice  that 
accusers  and  accused  should  be  confined  till  the  mat- 
ter is  sifted,  and  the  truth  discovered,"  said  the 
young  prince.  • 

"The  prince,  our  heir,  has  wisdom  beyond  his 
years ;  his  words  are  good,  and  shaU  be  followed," 
said  the  Emperor.  At  which  there  was  an  indecorous 
murmur  of  satisfaction,  which  was,  however,  instantly 
suppressed  by  the  Emperor  making  the  signal  with 
his  sleeves,  that  the  audience  was  at  an  end. 


NICHOLAS  OBTAINS  A  TITLE.  189 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

JOCHOLAS  mSTEELS   A   REBEL   CHIEF,    AND    OBTAINS    A 

TITLE. 

When  Nicliolas  arose  the  following  morning,  his 
first  care  was  for  the  safety  of  Chow,  whom  he  dis- 
covered to  be  still  in  the  custody  of  the  criminal 
tribunal,  where  by  the  laws,  he  would  be  kept  tUl  the 
will  of  the  chief  colao  became  known.  Feehng,  how- 
ever, satisfied  that  the  boy  would  meet  with  no  harm, 
now  that  he  himself  was  in  such  high  favor,  he  pre- 
pared for  the  promised  private  audience ;  and  scarcely 
had  he  donned  the  state  habiliments,  which  had  been 
supplied  to  him  by  the  chamberlain,  than  he  received 
the  imperial  summons,  and  having  been  conducted 
through  a  series  of  large  courts,  he  was  shown  into 
the  umermost  apartment  of  the  palace,  where  in  deep 
thought  over  a  letter,  sat  the  Emperor ;  upon  the  left 
(the  place  of  honor)  stood  the  young  prince ;  upon  his 
right,  the  aged  Woo. 

Having  complied  with  the  court  etiquette  by  run- 
ning quickly  up  the  apartment,  throwing  himself 
on  his  knees,  and  performing  the  kow-tow,  the 
Emperor  commanded  him  to  arise,  and,  placing  Ms 
hand  upon  the  letter,  said,  "  The  noble  youth,  then,  is 
the  son  of  the  daring  writer  of  these  terrible  charao- 


L90  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

ters,  which  declare  most  boldly  that  the  noblest  of 
our  srenerals  and  relations  is  a  traitor  and  rebel." 

"  The  life  of  thy  servant,  O  great  prince,  is  at  the 
will  of  his  sovereign  if  those  characters  are  not  as 
ti-uthful  as  the  sacred  books  themselves,"  replied 
Nicholas. 

"  We  dare  not  donbt  them,  youth,  if  these  othei 
characters  are  not  forged  by  some  -villain,"  said  the 
Emperor,  placing  a  letter  in  the  hands  of  "Woo ;  add- 
int^-,  "Let  the  venerable  Woo,  who  knoweth  all 
things,  declare  the  pencil  that  portrayed  them." 

Falling  upon  his  knees  and  taking  the  letter,  the 
aged  man  said,  "  Truly,  O  prince,  these  characters 
are  from  the  hand  of  the  General  Li-Kong,  whose 
treason  is  indeed  stupendous,  for  he  offers  the  su- 
preme command  of  the  four  seas,  and  the  sovereignty 
of  the  barbarous  island  of  Formosa,  to  the  merchant 
pirate,  providing  that  sea  chief  will,  with  his  multitu- 
dinous ships  and  great  wealth,  aid  him  (may  the 
sound  of  the  words  not  deprive  me  of  reason)  in  sub- 
verting the  dynasty  of  his  holy  Emperor.  The  crime, 
O  my  sovereign,  is  too  huge  to  be  conceived,  and  its 
author  should  be  hewn  into  ten  thousand  pieces.  Yet 
the  eyes,  nay,  the  very  reason  of  thy  aged  servant, 
may  be  faihng  him,  therefore  it  behoves  us  to  have 
greater  proof  that  these  characters  are  not  forged ; 
for,  though  great  is  the  cunning  of  villainy,  surely  so 
frreat  a  crime  cannot  exist  beneath  heaven." 

"The  words  of  the  aged  noble  are  magnanimous, 
for  surely  the  Prince  Li-Kong  is  the  enemy  of  him  and 
his ;  yet,  though  magnanimity  is  taught  by  the  sacred 


NICHOLAS   OBTAINS  A  TITLE.  191 

books,  t  must  not  endanger  the  life  of  our  great  sov- 
ereign wd  father,"  said  the  Prince  Yong-Li ;  adding 
"Surely  Li-Kong  is  famous  for  his  vileness;  his 
character  is  known  to  us  all,  yet  if  greater  proof  be 
wanting,  let  it  be  sought  from  the  lips  of  this  noble 
youth,  whosy  life  will  be  the  penalty  of  so  false  an 
accusation." 

"  It  would  ill  become  so  mean  a  person  to  traduce 
so  great  a  general  as  the  Prince  Li-Kong,  yet  the 
safety  of  his  sovereign  must  unseal  his  lips.  Know, 
then,  dread  Emperor,  that  the  General  Li-Kong  is  at 
this  very  moment  plotting  thy  ruin,"  said  Nicholas, 
who  then  gave  in  detail  the  conversation  he  had  heard 
at  the  palace  of  retirement,  which  the  Emperor  had 
no  sooner  heard  than  he  said  hastily,  "  Convey  our 
command,  O  noble  Woo,  to  the  general  thy  son,  to 
search  for  this  traitor,  and  brins^  him  in  chains  be- 
fore  us." 

"  Thy  servant  is  unfortunate,  for  this  is  not  possible, 
my  sovereign.  The  brave  Woo-san-Kwei,  knowing 
his  duty  too  well  to  remain  in  idleness  at  Pekin,  while 
the  Tartar-barbarians  were  harassing  his  army  like 
hungry  wolves, — truly  the  body  was  of  little  use 
without  the  head, — departed  fbr  his  command  after 
the  council  yesterday,"  replied  Woo. 

"  How !"  said  the  Emperor  passionately;  dared  the 
general  take  his  departure  without  an  audience  of 
leave," 

"  Let  not  thy  wrath,  O  great  sovereign  fall  upon 
the  head  of  thy  faithful  servant,  who  presumed  so 
far  because  his  Emperor  has,  of  late,  foregone  the 


192  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

salutary  ceremonies  laid  down  by  his  ancestors,"  said 
the  aged  minister. 

Angry  at  this  rebuke  yet  feeling  its  truthfulness, 
the  weak  prince  despairingly  threw  himself  back- 
ward in  his  chair,  when  the  young  prince  said 
"  Surely  the  throne  should  be  defended  by  its  heir. 
Tliy  son,  O  my  Emperor  and  parent,  will  depart  with 
the  guards  of  the  palace  and  bring  this  arch-traitor  to 
his  father's  feet ;"  and  not  receiving  a  denial,  the 
prince  respectfully  took  his  leave,  when,  having  re- 
covered his  equanimity,  the  Emperor  again  took  up 
Chin-Chi-Loong's  letter. 

"  Truly,  boy,"  said  his  majesty,  "  this  daring 
pirate,  thy  father,  knows  more  than  the  Emperor  or 
his  ministers.  How  know  we  that  he  is  not  as  great 
a  traitor  as  the  prince  he  denounces,  for  surely  by 
commerce  alone  he  could  not  have  obtained  this 
wealth  of  ships,  men,  and  money,  which,  like  a  king, 
he  so  insolently  offers  to  his  sovereign  and  master  ?' 

"  Truly,  O  great  Emperor,  if  my  illustrious  parent 
were  a  traitor,  he  would  not  have  placed  the  life  of 
his  only  son,  thy  mean  servant,  in  so  great  a  danger," 
said  Nicholas. 

"  The  woi'ds  of  the  youth,  O  prince,  are  as  true 
as  his  deeds  are  brave,"  said  Woo ;  adding,  "  Let 
then  thy  slave  pray  that  the  sunshine  of  the  Emperor's 
favor  may  fall  uijon  his  race  ;  for,  fearing  that  the  in- 
tentions of  this  great  merchant  were  treasonous,  I 
have  long  caused  his  actions  to  be  watched  and  his 
ships  to  be  harassed  by  the  sea  mandarins ;  but  indeed 
with  little  use,  for  the  noble  Chin-Chi-Loong  overcame 


NICHOLAS   OBTAINS  A  TITLE.  193 

them  all,  to  the  disgrace  of  the  board  of  arms  of  tliy 
empire. 

"  How  !  did  the  slave  pirate  dare  to  overcome  our 
sea  tigers  ?  said  the  Emperor  in  a  rage. 

"  He  has  presumed,  O.  priace  to  chastise  traitors 
who  wielded  thy  royal  commission  but  for  their  own 
purposes,  which,  if  a  crime,  he  now  offers  to  amend 
by  sending  his  only  son  to  beg  that  he  may  re- 
ceive an  order,  signed  by  the  vermilion  pencil,  tc 
command  that  great  fleet  in  his  sovereign's  name 
alone.  The  powerful  pirate,  for  whose  head  the 
Emperor's  ministers  have  offered  great  rewards,  now 
places  himself  and  his  fortune  at  the  disposal  of  the 
Son  of  Heaven,"  said  Nicholas. 

So  great  an  offer  having  restored  the  Emperor  to 
a  better  humor,  he  said,    "  It  is  a  presumptuous  re- 
quest, yet  loyal,  if  this  bold  man  can  give  us  a  guar 
antee  that  he  intends  not  playing  us  false." 

"That  guarantee  is  the  life  of  thy  servant,  his  only 
son,  O  my  prince,"  replied  Nicholas. 

"  These  words  are  good  and  loyal,  O  my  Emperor ; 
for  surely  if  this  bold  merchant  hath  sought  wealth 
and  power  for  his  descendants,  lo !  he  places  his  heir 
in  thy  hands,"  said  Woo. 

"  The  words  of  the  aged  Woo  are  wise  and  far- 
seeing.  We  grant  this  bold  man's  petition,  and 
should  he  help  us  to  root  out  from  the  land  this  grow- 
mg  rebellion  we  will  secure  to  him  the  island  promised 
by  the  villain  Li-Kong.  As  for  thyself,  brave  youth, 
to  whom  we  are  so  greatly  indebted,  we  grant  thee 
the  title  of  Princess-defending  Tiger  of  War,  and 
13 


194:  THE   WAE  TIGER. 

appoint  thee  to  a  command  in  the  guards  of  thfl 
palace ;  and,  moreover,  will  keep  thee  in  our  favor, 
of  which  this  shall  be  a  token,"  said  the  Emperor, 
taking  from  his  girdle  an  embroidered  purse,  and 
handing  it  to  Nicholas,  who  fell  reverently  upon  his 
knees  and  held  his  hands  above  his  head  to  receive 
the  present. 

At  that  moment  the  Prince  Tong-Li  entered, 
threw  himself  at  the  foot  of  the  throne,  and  said, 
"  Thy  son,  O  my  sovereign,  is  deserving  of  punish- 
ment, for  the  traitor  has  escaped." 

"  Escaped!"  repeated  the  Emperor,  bitterly. 

"  Truly  so,  my  father ;  no  sooner  did  the  council 
of  yesterday  disperse,  than,  fearing  the  discovery  of 
his  guilt,  he  assembled  his  officers  and  guards  and 
quitted  the  city." 

"Let  the  fleetest  of  our  horsemen  follow  immev- 
diately,"  added  the  Emperor. 

"  It  would  be  in  vain,  my  father,  for  ere  they  can 
overtake  him  the  traitor  will  be  in  the  midst  of  his 
own  troops  and  province,"  replied  the  prince. 

"It  would  be  wise  to  have  the  gates  closely 
guarded  and  the  defences  of  the  city  examined,"  said 
Woo. 

"  The  villain  dares  not  carry  his  treason  so  far  as 
to  invade  our  capital,"  replied  Wey-t-song. 

"  Let  not  the  generous  nature  of  my  prince  carry 
him  too  far,  for  by  insidious  arts  and  treacherous  gifts 
this  Li-Kong  has  gained  the  hearts  of  the  people 
of  the  provinces,  and  is  vile  enough  to  attempt  the 
greatest  of  crimes,"  said  the  minister." 


NICHOLAS   OBTAINS  A   TITLE.  195 

"  By  tte  tombs  of  our  ancestors,  the  veneralble 
noble  is  wise,  and  we  should  be  prepared  for  the 
vilest  of  crimes.  Let  the  barbarian-subduing  Gene- 
ral Woo-san-Kwei  and  his  army  be  recalled  from 
Leao-Tung." 

"  And  so  exchange  a  small  traitor  for  the  Tartar 
king,  who,  though  a  barbarian,  is  brave  and  power- 
ful ;  rather  let  my  royal  father  call  around  him  in 
council  the  doctors  of  war  and  the  ablest  of  his  gene- 
rals, who  from  the  military  books  will  doubtless  find 
sure  means  of  defending  the  city,"  said  the  prince ; 
adding ;  "  Then,  O  my  sovereign  parent,  let  the  army 
be  assembled,  and  permit  thy  son  and  this  noble 
youth  to  meet  the  rebel  on  his  way.  Let  this  be  so, 
my  Emperor,  and  thy  son  will  bring  the  traitor's  head 
to  thy  feet,  or  be  himself  brought  there  upon  his 
own  shield." 

"Thy  heart  is  brave,  but  thy  years  too  few,  O  my 
son,  for  so  great  a  trust,"  rejiliedthe  Emperor. 

"At  my  years  the  illustrious  Tait-Sou,  the  founder 
of  our  race,  planted  the  first  seeds  of  his  glory  in  the 
field,'   said  the  young  prince,  warmly. 

"  The  royal  prince,  thy  chosen  heir,  is  both  wise 
and  brave,  my  sovereign,  for  his  name  and  rank  will 
be  a  banner,  around  which  the  loyal  will  flock  as 
plentifully  as  locusts,  while  his  youth  and  bravery 
will  shame  the  rebels  into  submission,"  said  the  censor. 

"The  counsel  of  the  venerable  "Woo  is  bold," 
said  the  Emperor ;  adding,  "  After  the  council  of  war 
my  son  shall  seek  to  emulate  the  bravery  of  his  an- 
cestors." 


196  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

"The  tongue  of  thy  son  is  too  feeble  to  speak  his 
thanks,  my  sovereign,"  exclaimed  the  impetuous 
prince,  falHng  upon  his  knees. 


NICHOLAS  AND   THE   PEINCE.  197 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

^^[CHOLAS    AND    THE    PRINCE    HAVE    AN     ADVENTURB 
AND    SAVE   THE   LIFE    OF    CHOW. 

The  morning  after  the  audience  Nicholas  wrote  to 
his  father  a  detailed  account  of  his  adventures,  and  the 
disgrace  and  danger  of  the  great  Christian  father, 
who,  he  assured  him,  would  be  destroyed,  if  proofs  of 
his  innocence  were  not  speedily  produced.  When  he 
had  placed  the  letter  in  the  hands  of  the  flying-horse, 
or  court  messenger,  who  was  about  to  start  with  the 
imperial  cang-ho,  he  went  in  search  of  Chow,  and,  to 
his  surj)rise,  found  the  boy  had  been  released  under 
an  order  signed  by  Li-Kong,  immediately  before  his 
abrupt  departure.  This,  however,  but  puzzled  him  the 
more,  for  siu'ely  had  the  boy  been  released  he  would 
have  sought  out  his  master  and  friend.  Then  he  be- 
gan to  fear  that  Chow  had  been  decoyed  away  by 
some  of  the  many  designing  traitors  he  more  than  sus- 
pected to  be  hovering  about  the  palace,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  finding  from  the  servant  the  history  of  the 
master.  He  sat  for  some  time  pondering  what  to  do, 
and  at  length  resolved  upon  searching  through  the 
whole  city.  With  this  determination  he  arose  to  de- 
part, when  he  heard  the  trampling  of  footsteps,  and  the 
chief  officer  of  the  imperial  prince  entered  the  apart- 


198  THE   WAR   TIGER. 

ment,  followed  by  four  men,  carrying  a  litter,  wliich 
tliey  placed  u]3on  the  ground. 

"  The  son  of  the  great  Emperor  (may  he  live  ten 
thousand  years)  sends  the  noble  youth  a  royal  robe, 
and  arms,  in  token  of  his  amity  and  brotherhood," 
said  the  officer,  bowing  to  the  ground. 

At  the  name  of  the  prince,  Nicholas  performed  the 
ko-tow,  and  ordered  an  incense  table  to  be  brought, 
that  he  might  receive  the  royal  message  with  befitting 
respect.  The  officer,  however,  added,  "  Fui-ther,  O 
noble  stranger,  that  all  men  may  know  his  gratitude 
for  the  safety  of  his  beloved  sister,  the  great  prince 
commands  that  the  ceremony  of  the  incense  may  be 
dispensed  with,  for  the  son  of  the  Son  of  Heaven 
holds  the  noble  youth  as  his  brother  in  love  as  well 
as  arms.  Moreover,  that  he  may  prove  his  sincerity, 
the  prince  will  wave  his  illustrious  rank  and  visit  the 
preserver  of  the  princess  his  sister."  So  saying  the 
eunuch  withdrew. 

The  present  consisted  of  a  complete  military  equip- 
ment befitting  his  new  rank : — the  war  cap  or  helmet, 
a  robe,  embossed  with  plates  of  gold,  both  for  orna- 
ment and  protection,  boots  of  rich  costly  leather, 
sword,  shield,  bow,  and  quiver  of  arrows,  each  of 
which  bore  the  imperial  crest,  the  five-clawed  dragon. 
DeHghted  more  with  the  gift  than  its  costliness, 
Nicholas  did  not  stay  to  examine  the  present,  for  fear 
the  prince  might  speedily  arrive ;  and  he  was  right, 
for  he  had  scarcely  finished  attiring  himself  in  his  new 
uniform  before  Yong-Li,  unannounced,  entered  the 
room. 


NICHOLAS   AND   THE   PRINCE.  199 

In  an  instmit  Mcholas  threw  himself  at  his  feet,  and 
began  to  poui-  forth  his  gratitude,  but,  taking  his 
hand,  the  prince  said,  "  Arise,  these  are  not  times  for 
ceremonies  between  brothers,  banded  together  in  so 
holy  a  cause ;  the  sacred  books  themselves  intended 
them  alone  for  times  of  peace  and  luxury." 

"  May  those  times  soon  return,  O  my  prince,"  said 
Nicholas. 

"  May  my  brother's  wish  be  realised  ;  but  to  obtain 
peace  we  must  earn  it  by  the  sword,"  replied  the 
prince ;  adding,  gloomily,  "  I  come  from  the  board 
of  generals  and  doctors  of  war." 

"Upon  what  has  their  wisdom  determined,  O 
prince  ?" 

"  Nothing — they  are  dogs,  traitors  all ;  each  gene- 
ral of  a  section  declared  the  walls  to  be  unpassable 
by  an  enemy,  and  that  the  troops  were  numerous, 
well  exercised,  and  prepared  for  a  sudden  attack," 
said  the  prince. 

"These  are  the  words  of  indolent  cowards  or 
designing  traitors,  but  your  royal  father  the  Em- 
peror  " 

"  Was  present,"  said  the  prince  ;  but,  alas !  so 
loves  his  ease  and  the  counsel  of  his  bonzes,  that  he 
gave  a  ready  ear  to  their  reports,  nay,  promoted 
thom  all  one  step  for  their  vigilance." 

"  Surely  my  prince  lifted  his  voice  in  council  ?" 
said  Nicholas. 

"  My  brother,  yes ;  but  it  was  as  the  sound  of  a 
zephyr  amidst  the  roarings  of  a  hurricane;  that  of  a 
youth   among    the   aged     and  did    but   cause    his 


200  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

.najesty  to  forbid  my  seeking  the  rebel  Li-Kong  in 
the  field." 

"Then,  my  prince,  our  farther-seeing  eye  balls 
must  be  used  for  the  benefit  of  the  blind,"  said 
Nicholas. 

"  Thus  it  is  that  I  seek  thy  companionship  in  a 
journey  round  the  walls,  when,  if  I  find  them  as  I 
expect,  woe  be  to  the  indolent  cowards  who  dare  de- 
ceive their  Emperor,  said  the  prince. 

Nicholas  then  followed  them  to  the  courtyard, 
where  they  found  awaiting  them  a  squadron  of  the 
body  guard  with  two  richly  caparisoned  horses,  ona 
of  which  Yong-Li  presented  to  Nicholas,  and  they 
proceeded  upon  their  journey  amidst  the  lavish  ador- 
ations of  thousands,  who  bowed  to  the  earth  as  they 
rode  through  the  streets. 

"  If  my  prince  would  truly  see  the  manner  in  which 
the  officers  and  soldiers  perform  their  duties,  would 
it  not  be  wise  for  him  to  proceed  in  a  chair  and  with 
the  attendants  only  of  a  mandarin  of  the  third  order  ?" 
said  Nicholas. 

"  Thy  words  are  good,"  replied  the  prince,  order- 
ing the  soldiers  to  stop  at  the  house  of  a  mandarin, 
who,  having  formerly  been  his  military  tutor,  he  knew 
would  keep  his  rank  concealed.  Shortly  afterward 
they  were  met  by  some  soldiers  who  were  conveying 
several  malefactors  to  the  place  of  execution.  Seeing 
the  prince,  the  soldiers  and  prisoners  knelt  with  their 
faces  to  the  groimd  till  he  had  passed.  No  sooner, 
however,  had  he  passed  the  unhappy  men  than  the 
6on  of  the  Emperor,  with   tears  in  his   eyes,  said. 


NICHOLAS  AND   THE   PIUNCE.  201 

"  How  unhappy  is  the  lot  of  a  prince,  to  witness  such 
a  sight  as  that !" 

"  Surely,  my  prince,  the  rogues  deserve  their  pun- 
ishment, the  law  awards,  and  the  safety  of  the  state 
demands  it,"  said  Nicholas. 

"Truly,  I  weep  not,  my  brother,  at  the  punish- 
ment of  these  men,  for  without  rewards  and  punish 
ments  the  good  are  not  encouraged,  and  the  wicked 
are  not  restrained  ;  moreover,  chastisement  is  as  ne- 
cessary to  the  government  of  a  kingdom,  as  bread  is 
for  the  sustenance  of  the  people.  But  I  weep  be- 
cause my  time  is  not  so  happy  as  that  of  old  when 
the  virtues  of  the  prince  served  as  a  bridle  to  the  peo- 
ple, and  his  example  was  sufficient  to  restrain  the 
vices  of  his  subjects  without  other  chastisement." 

The  warlike  nature  and  education  of  Nicholas  not 
permitting  him  to  sympathize  with  the  kind-hearted 
Yong-Li,  he  maintained  a  respectful  silence,  not  how- 
ever, without  a  fear  for  the  fate  of  a  prince  whose 
amiable  nature  was  so  unfitted  for  such  turbulent 
times.  When  they  reached  the  house  of  the  manda- 
rin, the  prince  dismissed  his  guard,  and,  having  bor- 
rowed from  that  officer  his  robe,  cap,  and  chair  of 
state,  and  a  garment  of  plain  green  silk  for  Nicholas, 
the  two  youths  entered  the  chair  and  proceeded  on 
their  journey  with  the  usual  attendants,  one  of  whom 
went  before,  as  a  kind  of  avant-garde^  and  with  a 
whip  to  beat  them  a  passage  through  the  crowded 
streets.  At  the  first  guard-house  the  prince  stepped 
out  of  the  sedan,  made  himself  known  to  the  senti'ies, 
and  passed  in  ;   when,  instead  of  finding  the  troops 


202  THE   WAR   TIGER. 

engaged  in  exercising,  or  in  any  of  the  many  games 
permitted  by  the  board  of  war,  some  were  gambling, 
some  goading  crickets  with  their  chopsticks  till  the 
insects  killed  each  other,  some  were  singing  profane 
songs,  and  disporting  in  the  most  riotous  and  un- 
seemly manner,  while  many  who  had  been  drinking 
deeply,  and  still  held  the  spirit  cups  in  their  hands 
were  reeling  about  the  pavement,  but  most  remarka- 
ble of  all,  no  officers  except  those  of  the  most  subor- 
dinate grade  were  to  be  seen. 

"  These,  then,  are  the  vile  dogs  to  whom  the  de- 
fence of  the  Imperial  City  is  entrusted.  These  are 
the  rogues  whom  the  traitor  generals  commended," 
said  the  prince,  indignantly ;  adding,  "  Truly  the 
royal  house  is  punished  for  its  sins,  for  this  looketh 
indeed  like  the  decadence  of  a  dynasty." 

"These  are  but  the  hands,  O  my  prince  for  whose 
acts  the  heads  must  be  made  accountable,"  said 
Nicholas. 

"Nevertheless  the  dogs  shall  be  punished,  my 
brother ;  but  let  us  return,"  said'^the  prince,  going  to 
the  gate,  where  the  sentry,  recognizing  the  prince, 
fell  at  his  feet.  "  Rise,  dog,  and  as  thou  wouldst  save 
thy  miserable  head,  say  who  is  the  general  of  this  sec-, 
tion,"  said  Tong-Li. 

"The  noble  Leang,  0  Grandson  of  Heaven,"  re- 
ohed  the  trembUns;  soldier. 

"  Cans't  thou  be  honest  and  silent  as  to  my  visit  ?" 

"  Both,  as  thy  slave  values  his  miserable  life,"  re- 
plied the  soldier. 

"  I  will  trust  thee,  man,  and  if  I  find  you  so,  only 


NICHOLAS  AND  THE  PRINCE.       203 

till  the  rising  of  to-morrow's  sun,  thou  shalt  be  pro- 
moted," said  the  prince;  adding,  "This rogue  Leang 
must  be  degraded,  and  thou,  O  noble  Nicholas,  take 
his  command."  Thus  they  visited  some  half-dozen 
of  the  chief  and  most  important  points  of  the  forti- 
fied walls  with  similar  results.  With  the  work* 
themselves  he  was  satisfied,  as  was  also  Nicholas, 
who,  young  as  he  was,  had  often  examined  the  forti- 
fications of  the  southern  province ;  and,  indeed,  the 
whole  line  of  coast  between  Siam  and  Japan. 

"  Nought,  my  prince,  but  the  treachery  of  the  de- 
fenders, or  the  death-dealing  cannon  of  the  red-haired 
barbarians  from  the  West,  could  effect  an  entrance 
mto  the  city,"  said  he. 

"  Has  my  brave  brother  then  seen  in  use  those  ter- 
rible instruments  of  war  that  can  crumble  the  strong- 
est towers  of  stone  to  the  dust,  from  beyond  tho 
reach  of  bow-shot  ?"  said  the  prince. 

"  Such  has  been  thy  servant's  fortune,  O  my 
prince ;  it  could  not  be  otherwise,  for  they  are  used  on 
board  the  war-ships  of  my  noble  father." 

"  By  the  tombs  of  my  ancestors,  thou  art  a  bold 
boy,"  replied  the  prince;  adding,  with  vehemence, 

"  As  I  hope  to  continue  the  circle  of  succession,  I 
would  forfeit  ten  years  of  life  to  be  in  possession  of 
a  few,  that  we  might  sweep  these  rebels  and  Tartars 
from  the  face  of  the  earth." 

At  that  moment  there  arose  a  great  clamor  of 
voices,  and,  looking  out  of  the  chair,  the  prince  saw 
a  great  crowd  assembled  upon  one  of  the  canal 
bridges,  when,  having  ordered  the  attendant  with  the 


204  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

whip  to  beat  a  passage  through  the  people,  they  wit- 
nessed the  following  extraordinary  sight : — 

Upon  a  high  platform,  near  the  edge  of  the  bridge, 
stood  a  large  tub,  the  top  of  which  was  covered  with 
some  flimsy  material,  like  silk  or  cotton,  through  which 
something,  that  in  the  distance  bore  a  resemblance 
to  a  human  head,  bobbed  up  and  down  like  a  jack-in- 
the-box.  Upon  the  platform,  around  the  tub,  stood 
six  priests. 

How  lowly  must  the  dynasty  of  the  great  Tait-sou 
have  fallen,  that  these  miserable  bonzes  are  permitted 
thus  shamefully  to  extort  money  from  the  people," 
said  the  prince. 

"  If  thy  servant's  eyeballs  play  him  not  false,  O  mj 
prince,  yonder  priests  are  preparing  to  sacrifice  a  hu 
man  life  to  their  wretched  gods,"  said  Nicholas. 

Not  waiting  to  hear  more,  the  prince  leaped  from 
the  chair,  and,  followed  by  Nicholas  forced  a  'way 
through  the  crowd  till  they  reached  the   platform. 

All,  however,  that  could  be  seen  of  the  victim  waa 
the  forehead,  nose,  and  eyes ;  the  latter  rolled  so  con- 
vulsively and  glared  so  terribly,  that,  notwithstand- 
ing the  crowd,  Nicholas  would  have  attempted  a  res- 
cue, had  not  the  prince  caught  hold  of  his  arm, 
saying,  "  Stay,  my  brother,  it  is  the  duty  of  a  prince 
to  see  justice  done ;  then  addressing  the  chief  bonze, 
he  said,  "  What  crime  can  this  man  have  committed, 
O  miserable  priest,  that  he  should  be  thus  tortured 
without  the  presence  of  the  officers  of  the  tribunal  of 
justice  ?" 

"  Great  has  been  his  crime,  0  noble  youth,  and  self 


NICHOLAS  AND   THE   PRINCE.  205 

sought  Ws  punishment,  replied  the  bonze,  taken 
aback  by  the  bold  tone  of  the  prince ;  adding,  as  he 
pointed  to  the  head,  which  bobbed  suddenly  as  he 
spoke,  "  He  admits  my  words." 

"  Open  thy  Ups  to  the  purpose,  priest,  and  as  you 
*^alue  your  wretched  life,  let  us  hear  his  crime,"  re- 
plied the  mdignant  prince. 

"  The  youth  must  be  a  stranger  to  the  capital,  in- 
deed, if  he  has  not  heard  the  order  of  the  Son  of 
Heaven,  which  commands  that  the  villain  Christians, 
who  have  taken  advantage  of  the  great  Emperor's 
kindness  to  raise  and  nourish  a  rebellion  throughout 
the  land,  should  be  destroyed." 

"  Such  an  order  has  reached  thy  servant's  ears," 
said  the  prince,  bowing  lowly  at  the  name  of  his 
father. 

"  Know,  then,  that  this  wretch  was  long  the  slave 
and  follower  of  one  of  these  Christian  dogs — see,  he 
admits  it,  (and  the  head  bobbed  up  again  ;)  but,  for- 
tunately, the  gods  changing  his  heart  in  time,  sent 
him  to  our  pagoda  repentantly  declaring  his  villainy 
and  demanding  his  punishment  (here  the  head  gave 
another  bob  of  acquiescence)  from  the  priests  of  Fo, 
who,  consvilting  the  gods,  obtained  permission  for 
him  to  choose  his  own  chastisement :  his  choice  was 
to  leap  from  this  platform  into  the  canal." 

"  But  the  canal  is  deep,  and  the  man  will  drown, 
priest,"  said  the  prince,  sternly. 

"  Surely  the  youth  is  strangely  ignorant  that  such 
a  feat  is  a  happiness  thousands  would  willingly  seek. 
We  have  but  given  him  the  preference  but  for  hia 


206  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

zeal  and  virtue.  (Here  the  head  again  gave  an  ac- 
quiescent bob.)  Again,  at  the  bottom  of  the  cana] 
he  will  be  met  by  charitable  spirits,  who  will  not  only 
welcome  him  with  honor,  but  conduct  him  to  the 
yellow  stream."  So  saying,  the  bonzes  commenced 
preparations  for  the  final  act  of  the  tragedy. 

"The  prince,  however,  unable  any  longer  to  re- 
strain his  rage,  drew  his  sword,  exclaiming,  "  Desist, 
thou  murdering  rogue;  release  thy  victim  imme- 
diately." 

This  violence  to  their  priests  so  aroused  the  anger 
of  the  pagan  crowd,  that  they  would  probably  have 
torn  Yong-Li  to  pieces,  but  for  Nicholas,  who,  beating 
them  backward,  cried,  "Back,  slaves!  would  you 
molest  the  son  of  your  Emperor,  the  good  prince 
Yong-Li  ?  "  and  the  terrified  slaves  instantly  fell  up- 
on their  faces.  The  bonze,  though  no  less  dismayed 
at  the  presence  of  the  prince,  was  quicker  witted, 
and  said,  "  Surely  the  magnificent  son  of  the  Son  of 
Heaven  w^ould  not  arrest  the  flight  of  a  happy  soul, 
impatient  to  be  on  its  way  to  the  yellow  stream.*' 

"  Let  the  miserable  wretch  speak  for  himself,"  said 
the  prince. 

"  He  dares  not  so  anger  the  gods,  who  would  not 
only  condemn  him,  but  destroy  the  whole  city  in  their 
wrath,"  replied  the  bonze,  giving  a  sly  signal  to  his 
brethren  to  surround  the  tub,  in  the  event  of  a  rescue 
being  attempted. 

"Nevertheless,  the  wretch  shall  be  saved,"  said  the 
prince;  adding,  aloud,  "Let  the  deluded  rascal  oper 
his  lips,  or  he  shall  be  left  to  his  fate. 


NICHOLAS  AND  THE  PlllNCE.  207 

At  this,  the  head  gave  another  and  stronger  jerk 
upward,  but  without  rising  further  through  the  silk, 
and  the  eyes  rolled  and  glared  more  terribly  than 
ever.  At  which  the  bonze  said,  "  Cannot  the  heav- 
enly eyes  of  the  great  prince  see  that  the  poor  crea- 
ture is  sufFermg  from  such  violent  language  ?  See,  he 
is  almost  distracted  and  will  assuredly  expire  with 
grief  at  so  much  profanity." 

« This  is  some  foul  trick,  my  prmce,"  said  Nicho- 
las, who  leaped  upon  the  platform  so  quickly,  that, 
striking  one  of  the  priests,  he  fell  against  four  others, 
and  all  were  sent  flying  into  the  midst  of  the  crowd, 
who,  in  their  turn,  began  to  pummel  them  severely 
for  falling  so  heavily  upon  their  heads  and  shoulders. 

Once  upon  the  platform,  Nicholas  lost  no  time  in 
cutting  asunder  the  silk  covering  of  the  tub,  when, 
lo !  the  victim  shot  up  with  the  rapidity  of  a  rocket, 
dragging  with  him,  by  the  hair  of  his  head,  a  small 
bonze,  in  whose  hand  was  the  dagger  which  he  had 
been  from  time  to  time  plunging  into  the  victim's 
calves  in  order  to  make  him  utter  the  responses. 

But  what  was  the  surprise  of  the  prince  when  the 
hands  of  the  intended  victim  were  unbound  and  the 
gag  removed  from  his  mouth,  to  see  him  fall  at  the 
feet  of  Nicholas,  clasp  his  legs,  and  exclaun,  "My 
noble,  noble,  master,  this  is  indeed  a  joyful  meeting. 
Nouirht  but  the  God  of  the  Christians  could  havo 
saved  Chow's  life."  , 

The  wretched  face,  the  bleeding  legs  of  the  poor 
boy,  so  filled  the  heart  of  Nicholas  with  indignation 
and  sorrow,  that  while  tears  fell  down  his  cheeks,  all 


208  THE  WAR  TIGEK. 

he  could  say  was,   "  My  poor,  poor  friend  Chow,  this 
is  indeed  a  fortunate  day." 

"  Then  the  sacrifice  was  not  thine  own  seeking,  my 
poor  fellow  ?"  said  the  prince. 

"My  own  seeking,  O  mighty  son  of  Ming?  Look 
at  thy  slave's  legs,  which  the  rascals  have  punctured 
into  lace-work.  Surely,  had  Chow  sought  the  yellow 
stream,  he  would  have  chosen  to  go  in  a  perfect  and 
decent  manner."  Then  the  boy  would  have  fallen, 
but  for  Nicholas,  who  held  him  in  his  arms,  when  he 
said,  "  I  demand  justice  on  the  rogues,  O  great  prince, 
for  I  am  the  servant  of  the  noble  Nicholas,  thy  friend, 
and  was  with  him  a  prisoner  in  the  Palace  Royal, 
till  the  night  of  the  audience,  when  a  eimuch  came 
to  me  and  said  the  Emjseror  had  signified  his  gracious 
wish  that  poor  Chow  was  to  be  chopped  into  ten 
thousand  pieces,  but  that  a  great  lord  taking  compas- 
sion on  me  would  save  my  Ufe,  and  give  me  great 
promotion,  if  I  would  watch  and  note  down  the  words 
and  actions  of  my  noble  master." 

"  Didst  thou  hear  the  name,  surname,  and  title  of 
the  villain  lord,  O  Chow?"  said  the  prince. 

"  Thy  slave  was  not  so  fortunate,  great  prince." 

"  What  answer  didst  thou  make,  O  Chow  ?"  said 
Nicholas. 

"  That  they  might  not  only  cut  thy  servant  into  as 
many  pieces  as  they  chose,  but  never  bury  them  in  the 
tombs  of  his  ancestors,  before  he  would  comply. 
Whereupon,  they  gave  poor  Chow  over  to  these  rascal 
bonzes,  who  intended  to  torture  him  with  a  dagger  in 
that  tub,  till  agony  caused  him  to  leap  into  the  canal." 


NICHOLAS  AND   THE   lEINCE.  209 

"Sad  must  have  been  thy  sufferings,  my  poor 
Chow,"  said  the  prince  ;  who  then  ordered  his  at- 
tendants to  convey  the  boy  to  the  palace,  iu  order 
that  the  imperial  doctors  might  attend  him.  Then 
sending  for  a  body  of  yah-yu,  he  ordered  them  to  take 
tlie  bonze  and  his  assistants  to  the  great  prison, 
to  await  a  trial ;  after  which  they  returned  to  the 
palace. 

"  Thanks  be  to  Tien,  my  brother,  we  have  saved 
thy  friend  from  those  vile  bonzes,"  said  the  prince. 

"  Would  O  prince,  that  we  could  as  easily  save  the 
servants  of  the  true  God  of  heaven  from  their  vil- 
lainies," replied  Nicholas,  thinking  of  the  sufferings 
of  the  Christian  fathers. 
U 


210  THE  WAR  TIGER. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

NICHOLAS   RECEIVES   AN   IMPORTANT  COMMAND. 

On  the  day  following  the  visit  of  the  prince  to  the 
military  stations,  a  change  was  made  among  the  offi- 
cers. Some  were  bambooed,  some  reprimanded,  and 
others  sent  into  confinement.  The  post  of  Leang, 
who  held  the  command  of  five  hundred  men  under  the 
General  Kin,  being  given  to  Nicholas,  he  took  Chow 
with  him  as  a  kind  of  sub-officer,  and  as  the  wounda 
of  the  latter  fortunately  proved  to  be  only  in  the  flesh, 
he  soon  became  well  enough  to  caper  with  delight  at 
the  chance  his  new  position  might  give  him  of  meeting 
the  slayer  of  his  father. 

For  some  time  Nicholas  had  little  else  to  do  but 
keep  his  men  at  their  posts,  and  exercise  them  in  the 
use  of  the  matchlock,  which,  although  the  Chinese 
then  knew  so  little  about  it,  that  the  rebound  of  the 
stock  did  as  much  mischief  to  the  owner  as  the  barrel 
did  to  his  enemies,  he  had  long  practised  on  board 
liis  father's  ships.  Then,  again,  he  would  exercise 
them  in  sword,  and  bow  and  arrow  practice,  and  the 
use  of  their  shields. 

Such  was  his  employment  till  intelligence  arrived 
that  the  rebel  Li-Kong  was  on  his  march  to  besiege 
Pekiu  with  a  large  army,  when,  seeldng  an  audience 


NICHOLAS   IN   COMMAND.  211 

of  the  Emperor,  he  threw  himself  at  the  foot  of  the 
throne,  and  prayed  to  be  sent  with  a  party  of  flying 
horse  to  make  observations,  and  drive  the  j)eople  of 
the  neighboring  towns  and  villages  into  the  capital 
for  protection.  His  zeal,  however,  was  useless  ;  for, 
placing  his  whole  faith  in  the  bonzes  and  intriguing 
nobles  around  him,  who  laughed  to  scorn  the  idea  of 
so  improbable  an  event  as  the  invasion  of  so  great  a 
capital  by  a  mere  rebel,  Wey-t-song  angrily  commanded 
Nicholas  to  keep  to  his  posts  upon  the  walls,  where 
he  remained,  till  wearied  with  inaction  he  longed  to 
return  to  his  father's  fleet.  Wait  a  little  Nicholas, 
and  there  will  be  action  enough. 

More  than  once  during  the  reign  of  Wey-t-song 
had  famine  stalked  through  the  land,  but  then  he  had 
struggled  to  stem  the  torrent  by  opening  his  purse 
and  granaries.  Now,  however,  that  nature  withheld 
her  ordinary  supplies,  a  rebel  army  crowded  the  ap- 
proaches to  the  capital,  so  that  provision  could  not  be 
brought  in,  and  the  dearth  of  food  grew  so  great,  that 
a  pound  of  rice  could  not  be  purchased  for  less  than  its 
weight  in  silver,  and  the  flesh  of  horses,  rats,  dogs, 
cats,  and  mice  had  become  so  rare,  that  even  rotten 
skins  were  bought  for  human  food.  The  Emperor 
wickedly  kept  close  within  the  luxurious  apartments 
of  his  inner  palace,  caring  but  little  for  the  starving 
people,  so  that  he  and  the  great  mandarins  could 
revel  in  their  luxurious  ease  and  pleasures. 

Now,  as  indolence  will  spread  as  fast  as  nettles, 
the  ofiicers  of  the  army,  instead  of  attending  to  their 
duties,  spend  the  greater  part  of  their  night-watches 


212  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

in  gambling  and  drinking  so  hard,  that  had  the  enemy 
come  npon  them  suddenly  they  must  have  surren 
dered.  Yet  the  imperial  troops  were  so  numerous 
and  the  defences  so  strong,  that  with  anything  like  a 
good  show  of  fighting  the  rebels  could  have  been 
beaten  back,  if  not  indeed  entirely  destroyed.  As, 
however,  these  ofiicers  must  have  been  fully  aware 
of  all  this,  it  is  only  reasonable  to  suppose  they  were 
playing  another  little  game  of  their  own,  that  we 
shall  soon  see. 

Thus  weeks  pased  away,  without  more  than  mere 
rumors  of  the  movements  of  the  rebel  Li-Kong,  who, 
it  was  said,  was  fast  approaching  the  capital,  and 
sacking  towns  or  destroying  the  people  on  his  march. 
There  one  day  came  a  number  of  men  to  the  eastern 
gate,  reporting  themselves  to  be  fugitives,  who  had 
been  driven  to  seek  protection  in  the  capital  from  Li, 
who  was  on  his  march  by  the  eastern  suburbs ;  and 
as  also  they  brought  the  joyful  intelligence  that  a 
vast  quantity  of  rice  was  on  the  road  from  the  south- 
ern provinces,  under  the  charge  of  a  body  of  mer- 
chants, who  had  managed  to  evade  the  rebels  by  tak- 
ing a  different  route,  they  were  received  with  open 
arms  ani  treated  handsomely. 

Then,  as  the  General  Kin  feared  that  the  starving 
people  would  set  upon  the  wagons  as  they  entered 
the  city,  he  came  out  on  the  day  of  their  arrival  with 
a  large  body  of  soldiers  to  escort  the  food  to  the 
storehouse,  where  it  could  be  fairly  distributed. 
But  so  eager  was  the  general  to  secure  the  grain 
from  a  sudden  rush  of  the  hungry  people,  that  he 


NICHOLAS   IN  COMMAND.  213 

encompassed  the  procession  with  his  troops  so  per- 
fectly, that  neither  wagons  nor  the  fugitive  trades- 
men who  accompanied  them  could  be  seen  by  the 
crowd.  Moreover  Kin  kept  close  the  wagons  till 
they  were  safe  within  the  fore-court  of  the  store- 
houses. After  performing  his  duty,  the  general  as- 
tonished Nicholas  by  carrying  his  indefatigability  so 
far  as  to  personally  inspect  the  walls,  post  the  sen- 
tries, and  examine  the  flints  of  their  matchlocks,  all 
of  which  was  very  puzzling,  for  not  only  was  there 
no  enemy  to  be  seen,  but  the  deserters  and  fugitives 
reported  that  the  attack,  if  made  at  all,  would  be  up- 
on the  opposite  walls  of  the  city,  whither,  in  fact, 
Kin  had  sent  already  a  great  part  of  the  soldiers  who 
had  hitherto  been  posted  upon  that  side. 


214  THE  WAR  TIGER. 


CHAPTER  XXVn. 

THE     REBELS     ATTACK     PEKIN. TREACHERY     OP     A 

GENERAL,    AND   THE   FIGHT. 

It  was  the  middle  of  the  third  watch ;  Nicholas 
was  dreaming  of  the  rebel  Li-Kong,  the  Emperor, 
the  princess,  the  soldiers,  and  his  father's  fleet.  A 
sudden  grip  upon  his  arm  made  him  set  bolt  upright 
upon  his  sleeping  mat,  and  there  stood  Chow,  in  a 
state  of  great  excitement,  holding  in  his  arms  hia 
master's  habiliments  and  accoutrements,  as  if  the 
place  had  been  on  fire,  or  he  had  suddenly  turned 
thief,  and  was  about  commencing  business  upon  Ms 
master's  clothes. 

"  Awake,  O  my  master,  we  are  caught  like  rats  in 
a  trap  ;  the  rebels  are  upon  us !" 

"  What  words  are  these,  Chow  ?"  said  Nicholas, 
leaping  off  the  mat,  takmg  the  clothes  and  attiring 
himself. 

"  The  General  Kin  means  harm ;  let  us  escape,  my 
master ;"  and  Chow  pointed  to  the  open  wmdow. 

"  Thou  art  a  coward,  Chow, ;  draw  thy  sword,  and 
follow,"  said  Nicholas,  rushing  with  his  own  weapon 
in  his  hand  to  the  Walls,  where,  to  his  dismay,  he 
found  the  sentries  helplessly  intoxicated  and  lyino-  in 
all  directions  j   but  worse,  there,  agamst  the  walls, 


THE   REBELS   ATTACK  PEKIN.  215 

leaned  a  ladder,  by  which  means  a  body  of  troops 
were  about  to  ascend. 

"  Softly,  Chow,"  said  Nicholas ;  and  like  cats  they 
crept  toward  the  ladder  upon  their  knees.  Another 
minute,  and  a  soldier  stood  upon  the  uppermost  round 
with  a  lighted  torch  in  his  hand. 

"  See,  the  rat  makes  a  signal  that  all  is  right,"  said 
Nicholas,  and  in  another  instant  a  blow  from  his  list 
sent  the  torch-bearer  spinning  through  the  air  over 
the  heads  of  his  fellows  ;  then  with  a  yell  of  rage  the 
man's  next  comrade  jumped  upon  the  parapet,  and 
being  received  with  a  violent  blow  in  the  stomach 
from  Chow's  fist,  followed  his  companion  in  arms. 
Another  made  the  same  attempt,  but  picking  up  the 
torch  which  had  fxUen  upon  the  ramparts.  Chow 
dashed  the  burning  brand  in  his  face,  when  with  a 
wUd  howl  of  pain,  the  soldier  fell  backward,  sweeping 
the  scahng  party  off  the  ladder  as  clean  as  if  he  had 
been  a  thirty-two  pound  cannon  ball.  Then,  making 
the  most  of  their  advantage,  the  boys  caught  hold  of 
the  ladder  and  threw  it  over  upon  the  discomfited 
rebels,  who  lay  sprawling  at  the  foot  of  the  walls. 

Then,  holding  the  torch  above  his  head,  as  a  signal 
for  assistance,  Nicholas  indeed  saw  that  treachery 
was  in  high  quarters,  for  the  whole  line  of  walls  ap- 
peared to  be  deserted.  As  for  Chow,  he  had  no 
sooner  succeeded  in  arousing  the  men  from  their  stu- 
por, and  placed  some  at  the  great  guns,  and  others 
along  the  walls,  so  that  another  scaUng  party  would 
come  within  range  of  their  matchlocks,  than,  perceiv- 
ing a  body  of  the  eneiny  moving  to  the  front    he 


216  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

pointed  one  of  the  cannons  and  applied  the  torch  to 
the  touch-hole ;  a  flash — a  roar  followed ;  but  the 
only  effect  it  had  upon  the  rebels  was  to  cause  them 
to  send  forth  loud  shouts  of  exultation.  Well  they 
might  exult,  for  the  guns  were  harmless. 

"  The  villain  Kin  has  had  the  balls  withdrawn," 
exclaimed  Chow. 

"  Our  matchlocks  are  useless,  they  have  been  rob- 
bed of  their  flints,"  said  the  soldiers,  who  had  at- 
tempted to  fire  them  at  the  same  time  as  Chow  had 
fired  the  cannon. 

"Thou  back,  and  brain  the  dogs  with  them  as  they 
mount  the  walls,"  said  Nicholas,  as  the  enemy  was 
about  attempting  another  escalade  ;  adding,  "  Haste 
thee,  O  Chow,  to  the  Prince  Yong-Li,  and  pray  of 
him  to  send  assistance  to  his  brother,  who  dares  not 
quit  his  post  with  life ;"  when,  as  without  a  word 
Chow  disappeared  from  the  rampart,  Nicholas 
snatched  up  a  matchlock,  and  so  placed  himself  and 
men  beneath  the  breastwork  that  the  arrows  might 
pass  over  their  heads,  and  many  were  the  scalers  who 
reached  the  uppermost  round  of  the  ladder  to  be 
dashed  headlong  among  their  comrades  by  the  brave 
youth  and  his  little  band ;  and  so  they  would  have 
held  out  for  some  time,  but  for  a  shower  of  bullets 
from  the  matchlocks  of  a  body  of  soldiers  who  made 
their  appearance  upon  the  ■swills,  headed  by  the  Gene 
ral  Kin  himself. 

"  Seize  the  dog !"  said  the  traitor,  pointing  to 
Nicholas. 

"  Thou  great  rogue," — ^before,  however,  Nicholas 


THE  REBELS  ATTACK  PEKIN.       2*7 

eould  say  more  he  was  gagged,  his  arms'  bound  with 
cords,  and  taken  by  the  soldiers  to  his  own  room, 
amid  the  shoutings  of  the  rebels,  who  now  seemed  to 
be  entering  the  city  from  all  sides. 

But  why  had  they  not  killed  him  at  once  ?  for  what 
reason  had  they  brought  him  there  ? 

He  was  not  left  long  in  suspense,  for  no  sooner  had 
Kin  secured  the  entrance  of  his  brother  rebels  into 
the  city  than  he  entered  the  room,  and  first  examin- 
ing the  cords  that  bound  the  boy's  arms,  to  see  that 
there  was  no  possibility  of  his  getting  free,  he  ordered 
the  soldiers  from  the  room,  and  said,  merrily,  "  The 
young  war  tiger  is  brave,  but  he  is  no  match  for  the 
fire-eater  Kin." 

"  Let  the  dog  without  a  heart  unbind  the  arms  of 
his  prisoner,  and  he  shall  discover,"  was  the  fierce 
reply. 

"  What  shall  thy  servant  discover,  0  brave  youth  ?" 

"His  villain  body  hurled  out  of  the  window." 

"  Knows  not  the  youth  that  I  can  slay  him  as  if  he 
were  a  venomous  rat  ?" 

"  Do  this,  and  I  wiU  thank  thee  for  not  letting  me 
outlive  such  hateful  treason,  thou  villain." 

"  But  the  youth  is  yoimg,  brave,  and  should  live  in 
honor  and  high  promotion." 

"  He  would  be  more  honored  in  dying  for  his  Em- 
peror." 

"  That  Emperor  is  the  chosen  of  Tien,  the  great 
Li-Kong,  who  would  have  the  young  war  tiger  live 
to  serve  him." 

"  These  are  snake^s  words,  the  rogue  Li-Kong  is 


218  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

as  fiilse  as  his  coward  slave  Kin,  who  fears  to  trust 
himself  with  an  unbound  youth." 

"  Thou  rat,  thou  pirate,  I  will  slay  thee,"  said  the 
enraged  general,  drawing  his  sword. 

"Do  this,  and  my  vision  will  be  for  ever  shut  out 
from  so  much  villainy,"  was  the  calm  reply. 

"  Now  let  the  young  war  tiger  open  his  ears,  and 
if  he  is  reasonable  he  shall  be  free,"  said  the  general, 
getting  the  better  of  his  rage. 

"  Then  unbind  his  arms,  thou  dog." 

"  Truly,  if  thou  wilt  promise  to  serve  the  great 
Emperor  Li-Kong," 

"  Even  if  so  much  treason  existed  in  my  heart,  how 
could  so  mean  a  person  serve  so  great  a  prince?" 

"  Is  he  not  the  son  of  the  great  merchant  of  the 
south,  who  rules  the  four  seas  ?" 

"  If  the  dull  rogue  hath  discovered  his  prisoner's 
birth,  how  is  this  that  he  dares  to  think  that  when  free 
he  would  let  so  great  a  traitor  live,  after  such  an  exe- 
crable proposition  ?" 

Greatly  perplexed  at  this  rebuff.  Kin  could  make 
no  reply.  Suddenly,  the  booming  of  cannon,  the  roar 
of  millions  of  voices,  and  the  clash  of  arms,  sounded 
through  the  night  air,  and  he  said,  "  Hear  you  that 
cannon,  boy  ?  It  is  the  terrible  mouthpiece  of  the 
fugitive  tradespeople,   who    accompanied    the    rice 


wagons." 


"  O  thou  miserable  rogue,"  exclaimed  Nicholas,  as 
it  novsr  flashed  across  his  mind  that  the  rice  wagons 
and  the  fugitive  tradespeople  had  been  the  ruse  by 
which  Li-Kong  bad  obtained  an  entrance  into  the 


THE  REBELS  ATTACK  PEKIIST.  219 

city  for  his  troops.  "  O  that  he  was  free,  for  there 
were  guards  enough  yet  to  save  the  imperial  family." 

"  It  is  a  maxim,  that  it  is  no  use  repining  for  the 
past,  O  youth.  By  his  tyi-anny  and  oppression  Wey-t- 
song  has  forfeited  the  throne  to  the  heaven-selected 
Li-Kong,  whose  troops  now  fill  the  streets,  and  who 
will  confer  upon  the  young  war  tiger  high  rank,  and 
upon  his  parent,  the  great  sea  chief,  a  kingdom, 
if  he  will  submissively  rule  the  seas  as  a  tributary. 
See  the  success  of  the  great  Li,"  he  added,  as  the 
room,  nay,  the  whole  sky  became  illuminated,  "  the 
palace  is  in  flames — let  the  young  war  tiger  give  his 
answer." 

"  If  it  is  adverse  ?"  asked  Nicholas. 

"The  head  of  the  son  will  be  sent  to  the  father." 

Then  bitter  were  the  feelings  of  Nicholas — for 
himself?  no !  for  he  felt  it  his  duty  to  die ;  but  for 
nis  father,  for  the  princess — still  there  was  a  chance 
of  escape.  Should  he  comply?  surely  a  promise  to 
traitors  would  not  be  valid.  He  considered  for  a 
moment — it  was  but  for  a  moment — and  even  the 
bold  sea-boy  had  not  courage  enough  to — tell  a  he. 

Perceiving  his  hesitation,  the  countenance  of  Kin 
brightened.  "The  noble  youth  is  reasonable;  he 
consents,"  said  he. 

"  No,  thou  false  rogue." 

"  Then  he  dies  a  miserable  death,"  said  the  enraged 
Km,  calling  to  his  guard.  There  was  no'  reply,  but 
a  scuffle  in  the  passage,  and  the  sound  of  angry  voices, 
when,  pale  with  fear,  the  general  opened  the  door, 
and  the  next  minute  was — in  the  arms  of  Chow,  who 


220  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

held  him  till  the  soldiers  of  the  prince,  who  acompa- 
nied  him,  had  bound  the  traitor  as  tightly  as  a 
mummy. 

"  It  is  our  turn  now,  thou  vile  rogue,"  said  Chow, 
as  he  cut  the  cords  that  bound  his  master. 

"This  is  well  accomplished  my  brave  Chow;  but 
now  let  us  leave  the  traitor  and  haste  to  the  palace," 
Nicholas. 

"  It  is  hopeless,  O  ray  master,  lor  the  outer  palace 
IS  in  flames,  and  surrounded  by  the  rebels." 

"  Is  it  not  a  maxim  that  no  effort  is  hopeless  to  the 
brave  ?" 


ATTACK  ON  THE  PALACE.        221 


CHAPTER  XXVm. 

ATTACK  ON  THE  PALACE. SUICIDE   OF  THE  EMPEBOE, 

THE   PRINCESS   WOUNDED. 

Having  dismissed  the  soldiers,  the  two  boys 
mingled  with  the  vast  crowd  that  was  surging  to- 
ward the  palace  with  deafening  cheers  for  Li-Kong, 
who,  by  the  treachery  of  the  general,  aided  by  those 
of  his  own  troops  who  for  weeks  past  had  .been  pass- 
ing into  the  city  under  the  pretence  of  being  fugitive 
tradespeople,  had  now  reached  the  very  walls  of  the 
outer  palace  without  opposition.  Indeed,  so  great  were 
the  numbers  of  the  rebel  troops  and  the  mass  of  peo- 
ple who  joined  on  their  way,  that  when  they  came  in 
sight  of  the  palace  walls  the  imperial  soldiers  fled  in 
dismay,  and  so  well  had  the  rebel  chief,  and  his  brother 
traitors  near  the  person  of  the  Emperor,  organized 
the  conspiracy,  that  it  was  not  until  the  outer  palace 
was  in  flames  that  Wey-t-song  became  aware  that  Li- 
Kong  had  even  entered  Pekin.  Then,  however,  like 
another  Sardanapalus,  his  energies  became  aroused, 
and  he  collected  together  some  few  hundreds  of  his 
body  guard,  and  determined  to  sell  his  life  as  dearly 
as  possible,  and  till  morning  he  held  out ;  for  so  well 
did  his  guards  handle  the  bows,  and  so  clumsily  did 
the  rebels  use  their  matchlocks,  that   it  was   early 


222  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

Qiorniiig  Tbefoi-e  the  latter  could  effect  an  entrance  to 
the  inner  palace. 

When,  however,  the  broad  light  of  morning  came, 
what  with  the  force  of  numbers,  and  their  being  ena- 
bled to  use  their  matchlocks  to  greater  advantage, 
they  soon  forced  the  gates  and  rushed  into  the  great 
court  en  masse.  Being  among  the  first  to  enter, 
Nicholas  and  Chow  beheld  the  Emperor,  in  the  uni- 
form of  one  of  his  own  officers,  exhortmg  his  troops 
to  die  with  him  rather  than  to  succumb  to  rebels. 
After  a  short  fight,  however,  the  coward  guards  threw 
down  their  arms,  and  shouted,  "Long  life  to  the 
heaven-bestowed  Emperor  Li-Kong."  Indignant  at 
their  cowardice,  Nicholas  would  have  rushed  among 
them,  but  for  Chow,  who  whispered  the  danger  of  the 
princess. 

For  a  minute  the  fraternization  of  the  guards  ap 
peased  the  rebels — it  was  only  for  a  minute — then 
they  shouted  for  the  head  of  the  vile  Wey-t- 
song,  and  one  of  the  guards  pointing  to  the  inner  pal- 
ace, they  ran  in  that  direction  like  a  herd  of  hungry 
wolves,  killing  all,  men,  women,  or  children,  whom 
they  met  in  their  way ;  then  they  came  to  the  ladies' 
palace,  and  with  hideous  shouts  of  exultation,  set  it 
on  fire ;  and  the  poor  women,  at  least  those  who  were 
not  destroyed  by  the  flames,  ran  from  all  quarters, 
but,  alas!  only  to  fall  by  the  swords  of  the  fiends,  or, 
if  escaping  the  latter,  to  perform,  to  them,  the  sacred 
duty  of  throwing  themselves  headlong  into  the  canals, 
that  they  might  not  survive  the  downfall  of  their  im' 
perial  master. 


ATTACK  ON   THE   PALACE.  223 

More  mfuriated  than  the  rebels,  and  with  a  wild 
liope  of  saving  the  Emperor  and  the  princess,  Nicho- 
las ran  through  the  burning  palace,  as  if  seeking 
death  from  the  falling  timbers;  but,  alas  no  clue 
could  be  found  to  those  he  sought.  At  length  he 
thought  of  the  imperial  gardens,  a  place  that  the 
rebels,  in  their  anxiety  to  plunder  the  palace,  had 
forgotten. 

"  So,  while  Chow  went  in  an  opposite  direction,  he 
took  the  path  leading  to  the  mulberry  grove,  and 
there,  upon  a  mound,  he  discovered  the  object  of  his 
search — both  Emperor  and  princess;  but,  to  his 
horror,  the  first  dead,  and  hanging  by  his  own  girdle 
from  the  bough  of  a  prune-tree,  and  the  princess 
senseless,  expiring  from  a  deep  wound  in  hef 
side,  from  which  the  blood  was  flowing  copiously. 
Shocked  so  that  the  blood  in  his  veins  seemed  con- 
gealed, Nicholas  cut  down  the  dead  Emperor  with 
his  sword,  then  stanched  the  wound  of  the  princess 
with  his  silk  girdle,  ran  to  the  lake,  filled  his  cap  with 
water,  and  sprinkled  it  in  her  face,  when,  joy !  the 
pale  face  resumed  the  hue  of  life — still  she  was  insen- 
sible, and  he  miserable,  for  he  knew  not  what  other 
means  to  adopt  for  her  restoration.  Then  came  the 
sound  of  ai^proaching  footsteps —  it  might  be  a  rebel, 
and  he  clutched  his  sword,  determined  to  die  before 
the  royal  lady  should  be  taken  from  him — but  no,  it 
was  Chow,  who,  having  lost  himself  for  some  time  in 
the  mazes  of  the  garden,  had  reached  the  spot  by 
mere  accident ;  and  no  sooner  did  the  faithful  fellow 
perceive  the  tragic  scene,  than  he  fell  upon  his  kneea 
and  wept. 


224  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

,  "  Truly  the  villains  will  speedily  be  here,  and  w« 
Bhall  be  lost  if  we  can  not  discover  some  hiding-place," 
said  Nicholas. 

"  The  gods  must  intend  our  escape  from  this  den 
of  thieves,  for  I  have  just  crept  out  of  yonder  cav 
ern,"  said  Chow,  pointing  to  a  thick  bush  at  some 
short  distance  from  where  they  were  standing. 

Then,  without  more  words,  they  bore  the  senseless 
girl  to  the  spot  indicated  by  Chow,  and  pushing  aside 
the  brushwood,  entered  a  cavern  lighted  from  the  top 
by  a  small  grating,  and  laid  her  upon  the  floor.  The 
stanching  of  the  blood,  the  cold  water,  and  the 
movement,  revived  her,  when  she  exclaimed,  "  This 
terrible  dream — where  am  I?  who  art  thou,  thou 
terrible  man  ?" 

"  Fear  not  beautiful  daughter  of  the  Ming,  for  thou 
art  in  the  hands  of  thy  own  servants,  who  have  saved 
thee " 

"  Saved  me  !"  she  said,  with  a  vacant  gaze  at  Nich- 
olas ;  then,  as  if  remembering  some  terrible  occur- 
rence, added,  "  From  my  royal  father,  who  plunged 
his  dagger  in  my  side,  that  his  daughter  might  escape 
the  villain  Li-Kong,  but  the  Emperor,  my  parent, 
O  noble  youth  ?" 

"  Alas  !  unfortunate  princess " 

*' Enough — enough — I  remember  all — the  holy 
Emperor  has  saved  himself  the  disgrace  of  falling  in- 
to the  power  of  the  traitor.  But  why  then,"  she 
added,  bitterly,  "has  the  worthless  life  of  a  daughter 
of  his  own  blood  been  saved  ?" 

*'To  be  the  most  valued  jewel  in  the  throne  of  her 
brother  the  Emperor  Yong-Li,"  said  Nicholas. 


ATTACK   ON   THE   PALACE.  225 

"  By  restoring  my  worthless  life  thou  hast  brought 
shame  and  disgrace  upon  the  daughter  of  thy  Emper- 
or, for  hath  it  not  ever  been  the  custom  of  the  daugh- 
ters of  the  Son  of  Heaven  to  kill  themselves  upon  the 
d  ownfall  of  their  sovereign  ?" 

"The  princess  is  of  the  religion  of  the  Lord  of 
Heaven,  who  alone  giveth  and  taketh  life,"  replied 
Nicholas. 

"Thou  art  right,  noble  youth,  and  the  descendant 
of  Tait-sou  will  bear  her  misfortunes  more  as  becomes 
a  Christian  than  a  daughter  of  China,"  said  the  prin- 
cess ;  adding,  sorrowfully,  "  but  the  remains  of  my 
beloved  parent " 

"  Shall  be  saved  from  the  profane  hands  of  rebels 
if  the  princess  will  remain  within  this  cavern,"  replied 
Nicholas;  who,  followed  by  Chow,  returned  to  the 
mound,  where  for  a  minute  he  stood  contemplating 
all  that  remained  of  the  last  Emperor  of  the  Ming 
dynasty.  Alas !  poor  prince,  that  thy  virtues  should 
have  been  clouded  with  so  many  faults.  See,  O 
Chow,  how  bitterly  he  felt  the  ingratitude  of  his 
petted  and  pampered  guards,"  said  Nicholas,  reading 
some  lines  that  the  Emperor  had  written  in  his  own 
blood  upon  the  border  of  his  robe,  and  which  were:— 
"The  heavens  are  in  thy  favor,  O  Li-Koug;  yet, 
although  my  subjects  have  basely  abandoned  me,  I 
beseech  of  thee,  as  their  parent,  to  wreak  thy  ven- 
geance on  my  body ;  but  save,  O  save  my  deluded 
people." 

"The  rebels  come  this  way,"  said  Chow. 

"Let  us  hide  till  they  have  passed,"  said  Nicholas, 
15 


\\ 


2126  THE    WAR   TIGEE. 

and  snatching  up  his  cross-bow,  he  ascended  the  near 
est  tree,  believing  that  Chow  had  done  Hkewise. 

The  new  comers  were  two  officers  of  Li-Konsr. 

"  It  was  in  tliis  direction,  O  Lee,  near  the  mulberry 
grove,  that  the  woman  slave  saw  the  princess  fly," 
said  one,  looking  about. 

"So  said  the  heaven-bestowed  Li,"  repHed  the 
other;  but  perceiving  the  body  of  the  deposed 
sovereign,  rebel  as  he  was,  his  inherited  awe  for  the 
majesty  of  the  Emperor  caused  him  to  throw  himself 
upon  the  ground,  saying,  "This  then,  O  my  poor 
prince,  is  the  end  of  thy  glories  !  indeed  thy  punish- 
ment has  been  severe,  may  it  lead  thy  successor  to 
avoid  thy  faults." 

"  Get  thee  to  thy  feet,  O  Quang,  for  the  Emperor 
who  can  forsake  his  people  well  merits  that  they 
should  forsake  him  in  his  extremity ;  moreover,  should 
the  heaven-bestowed  Li  see  thee,  he  will  cause  thy  fool- 
ish head  to  be  chopped  from  thy  shoulders,for,  like  a 
hungry  tiger,  he  cares  but  Httle  whether  his  food  be 
friends  or  enemies,  so  that  he  can  satisfy  his  appetite." 

"  Thy  words  are  good,"  said  Quang,  rising  to  his 
feet:  adding,  "Yet  the  most  ravenous  beast  becomes 
eatisfied." 

"  True,  O  Quang,  but  when  this  morning  the  great 
Li  for  the  first  time  sat  upon  the  golden  throne  of 
state,  it  trembled  and  tottered." 

"  A  sad  omen,  O  Lee ;  surely  his  majesty  should 
have  chosen  a  fortunate  day." 

"  Truly,  according  to  the  chief  bonze,  it  is  an  omen, 
signifying  that  while  the  body  of  Wey-t-song  remains 


ATTACK    ON   THE    PALACE.  'Z'll 

whole,  the  heaven-bestowed  Emperor  is  in  danger, 
and  it  is  this  that  has  angered  him  ;  hut  see,  he 
comes,"  and  both  fell  to  the  earth  before  the  rebel 
general,  who  approaching  with  his  great  officers, 
said,  "  Have  you  discovered  the  prmoess,  you  crawl- 
mg  slaves  ?" 

"  At  the  risk  of  their  lives  thy  slaves  must  deliver 
their  miserable  intelligence  to  the  fortunate  and 
heaven-bestowed  founder  of  the  most  magnificent 
of  dynasties,"  said  Quang. 

"  Let  the  slave  open  his  lijis." 

"  The  great  princess  has  escaped  with  the  Chris- 
tian woman  Candida,"  replied  the  trembling  Quang. 

"Escaped!"  exclaimed  the  tyrant;  "then  let  it 
be  proclaimed  throughout  the  empire  that  he  who 
can  bring  her  unarmed  to  our  feet,  shall  receive  high 
promotion,  and  the  weight  of  his  mean  body  in  gold ;" 
but  at  that  moment,  for  the  first  time,  seeing  the  body 
of  the  Emperor,  he  exclaimed,  "  The  great  traitor 
to  his  people  has  been  too  fortunate  in  having  been 
permitted  to  close  a  luxurious  career  with  the  honor- 
able punishment  of  self-destruction ;  he  should  have 
been  exhibited  alive  in  a  cage;"  then  reading  the 
vines  upon  the  dead  sovereign's  robe,  "  See  thou, 
O  Quang,  that  the  miserable  body  be  cut  into  a 
thousand  pieces,  and  distributed  far  from  the  tombs 
of  bus  royal  ancestors,"  saidtliis  new-made  sovereign, 
with  less  generosity  than  the  second  Emperor  of  the 
Tartar  race,  who  some  years  after,  while  hunting,  hap- 
pening to  see  in  the  distance  the  monument  which 
had  been  erected  to  the  memory  of  the  unfortunate 


228  THE  WAE  IIGER 

Wey-t-song,  quitted  his  horse,  and  falling  upon  the 
earth,  said,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  "  O  Prince !  O 
Emj^eror!  worthy  of  a  better  fate,  you  know  that 
your  destruction  was  not  owing  to  us,  your  death 
lies  not  at  our  door,  your  OAvn  subjects  brought  it 
upon  you,  it  was  they  that  betrayed  you ;  it  is  there- 
fore upon  them,  and  not  on  my  ancestors,  that  heaven 
must  send  down  vengeance." 

As  you  may  imagine,  this  arrested  the  attention 

of  Nicholas,  who  became  deeply  interested,  and,  as 

he  hstened,  it  was  with  difficulty  he  could  keep  down 

his  indio-natioa.     He  had  smiled  as  he  heard  of  Lee's 

terror  at  the  omen,  gi'oaned  at  the  slaughter  of  the 

people,  rejoiced  at  the  escape  of  the  Lady  Candida, 

the  more  so  as  the  soldiers  believed  that  she  had 

carried  away  the   princess  with  her,  which  would  at 

least   throw   them  off  the  right  track ;  then  at  the 

sight  of  the  brutal  Li  he  had  instinctively  placed  an 

arrow  on  his  bow,  but  the  danger  of  the  princess 

taught  him  prudence,  and  he  did  but  nervously  twitch 

the   string ;  when,  however,  Li  spoke   of  the   dead 

Emperor  his  heart  thi'obbed  with   indignation,  and 

he  Avas  nigh  losing  his  presence  of  mind ;  then  when 

Li  delivered  the  order  for  the  mutilation  of  the  body, 

every  vein  in  the  boy's  forehead  and  neck  seemed 

bui-sting  with  rage,  which,  when  the  tyrant  struck 

the  corpse  with  his  foot,  he  could  no  longer  suppress  ; 

no  human  power  could  keep  it  back,  and  just  missing 

the  tp-ant's    throat   so    narrowly  that  its   feathei 

brushed  his  necklace,  an  arrow  pierced  the  bark  of 

the  tree  against  which  he  was  standing. 


ATTACK   ON    THE    PALACE.  2:2!i 

"  See  witli  what  vigilance  the  guards  have  sought 
for  traitors,  when  this  could  so  nearly  reach  the 
mark,"  said  the  brave  rogue,  coolly,  but  holding  his 
shield  in  readiness  for  the  next. 

Unlike  Li-Kong,  whose  courage  was  a&  remarkable 
as  his  crimes,  the  teeth  of  his  officers  chattered,  and 
their  knees  knocked  together  with  fear,  as  if  the 
arrow  had  been  a  thunderbolt  from  their  own  gods ; 
when,  however,  they  recovered,  they  placed  their 
shields  before  their  faces  and  rushed  to  the  direction 
from  whence  the  arrow  had  flown,  and  would  soon 
have  discovered  Nicholas  but  for  a  huge  lion,  who, 
finding  the  door  of  his  cage  open,  rushed  upon  the 
group  with  such  unmistakable  intentions,  that  not 
only  the  officers,  but  Li-Kong,  brave  as  he  was,  fled 
in  terror  to  the  palace,  with  the  beast  at  their  heels. 
You  will  little  wonder  at  the  extreme  fright  of  the 
soldiers,  when  I  tell  you  that  tliis  lion  was  the  only 
animal  of  his  kind  in  China,  having  been  presented 
to  the  late  Emperor  by  a  foreign  king,  or  they  would 
probably  have  met  the  brute  face  to  faoa 


830  THE   WAR  TIGER. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

THE   SECRET  CAVERN. — THE   PRINCESS   SAVED   BT    111., 

BOYS. 

"  Thou  hast  had  a  narrow  escape,  O  most  prudent 
master,"  said  Chow,  coming  forth  when  he  saw  the 
coast  clear. 

"  Had  I  been  taken,  it  would  have  been  a  just  pun- 
ishment for  missing  my  mark  :  but  by  what  fortunate 
chance  did  that  savage  beast  escape  from  his  cage,  O 
Chow  ?"  replied  Nicholas,  descending  the  tree. 

"  That  chance,  O  my  master  was  the  foresight  of 
thy  servant,  who  unfastened  the  door  of  the  cage  of 
that  four-footed  brother  of  Yen-Vang,  neither  know- 
ino-  nor  carina  whether  he  might  not  himself  be  the 
first  meal,  so  that  the  noble  Nicholas  escaped." 

"  It  was  well  done,  my  brave  Chow ;  yet  surely 
that  rebel  rogue  must  be  protected  by  some  demon 
to  have  escaped  so  nari-owly  both  arrow  and  lion ; 
but  let  us  haste  to  the  cavern,  or  they  may  return." 

Now,  although  the  whole  of  this  adventure  had  not 
occupied  more  than  an  hour,  Nicholas  was  greatly  in 
fear  for  what  might  have  happened  to  the  princess, 
an  anxiety  reciprocated  by  the  princess,  who,  as  soor 
as  she  saw  them  again,  exclaimed,  "  Thank  heaven, 
the  noble  youth  is  saved ;"  then  added  reproachfully, 
"But  he  has  not  performed  his  promise,  for   he 


THE    SECRET    CAVERN.  231 

brings  not  the  sacred  remains  of  his  royal  master  ;" 
when,  however,  Nicholas  related  the  adventure, 
although  in  great  anguish  of  mind  at  being  denied  the 
sacred  right  of  i)aying  the  last  office  of  respect  to  the 
corpse  of  her  parent,  she  was  overjoyed  at  their 
escape. 

"Escape,  O  great  princess;  thy  small  servant  is 
not  clever  and  gifted,  Mke  the  mole,  or  he  would  eat 
a  hole  through  the  end  of  this  rat-trap ;  for  to  attempt 
it  by  the  entrance  would  be  to  submissively  ask  the 
traitor  Li-Kong  to  cut  us  all  into  ten  thousand 
pieces,"  said  Chow. 

"The  Avords  of  the  brave  Chow  are  reasonable,  for 
truly  this  cavern  is  but  a  trap,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  It  is  not  so  ;  push  thou  against  the  end  of  the 
cavern,"  said  the  princess. 

"  Truly  we  are  fortunate,"  said  Nicholas  with  as- 
tonishment, as  he  found  the  end  giving  way,  and  dis- 
closing to  his  vision  a  long  nai-row  passage. 

"  It  was  made  by  the  great  Tait-sou,  and  leads  to 
an  unfrequented  suburb  of  the  city ;  by  this  means  he 
could  leave  the  palace  alone,  and  by  mixing  among 
the  people  judge  for  himself  how  the  mandarins  were 
respected  by  them,"  said  the  princess. 

"  Surely  they  will  follow  us  here,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  Not  so,  noble  youth;  for  the  secret  is  known  but 
to  few.  It  was  the  sole  vile  act  of  the  great  Tait- 
sou's  reign  that  he  caused  this  passage  to  be  made 
by  condemned  prisoners,  whom  he  afterward  slew, 
that  they  might  not  divulge  the  secret,"  said  the 
princess,  adding,  "Let  us  trace  its  course." 


232  THE  WAR   TIGER. 

Then,  helping  the  wounded  girl  to  walk,  they  pro 
ceeded  down  the  passage  for  a  considerable  distance, 
till  their  progress  was  arrested  by  a  door ;  pushing 
this,  however,  they  found  themselves  in  a  small  cav- 
ern, lighted,  like  the  one  at  which  they  had  entered, 
by  a  small  grating  from  above. 

"  How  is  it  possible,  O  noble  Nicholas,  that  we  can 
pass  through  the  roaring  rebels,  who  are,  doubtless, 
without  ?"  said  Chow. 

"  It  is  a  reasonable  question,  O  noble  youth ;  truly 
we  had  better  remain  here  till  night,"  said  the 
princess. 

But,  having  considered  for  a  minute,  Nicholas  said, 
"Not  so,  great  princess;  remain  thou  here  with 
Chow,  and  thy  servant  will  find  some  means  of  deliv- 
erance ;"  whereupon  he  borrowed  from  Chow  his  less 
conspicuous  cap,  robe,  and  boots,  then  felt  his  way  up 
a  flight  of  narrow  steps,  till  his  head  struck  against  a 
trap-door ;  lifting  this  gently,  he  found  himself  in  a 
small  stone  room,  the  door  of  which  stood  open ; 
passing  this,  he  came  into  an  oblong  court,  and  saw  at 
once  that  the  place  had  been  erected  as  a  tomb,  and, 
moreover,  that  he  was  at  the  most  remote  end  of  a  val- 
ley of  tombs.  So  far  he  believed  the  princess  to  be  in 
a  place  of  safety,  for  none,  even  in  those  rebellious 
days,  would  dare  to  enter  the  ancestral  tomb  of  an- 
other. 

Crossing  this  valley  of  sepulchres  with  inverted 
face,  as  if  in  deep  contemplation  after  visiting  the 
tomb  of  his  ancestors,  he  came  mto  the  open  road, 
where  a  vast  crowd  were  floating  onward  into  the 


THE   SECRET  CAVEKN.  233 

city,  mad  with  excitement,  and  shouting,  "Many 
years'  life  to  the  heave::-sent  EmpeTOi- !"  he  mixed 
with  them,  and  so,  safely  passed  onward  to  the  house 
of  the  merchant  Yang,  who  no  sooner  saw  him  than  he 
ordered  an  incense  table,  and  returned  thanks  to  Fo 
for  his  safety.  "  For,"  said  he,  "  thy  servant  made 
bu<  little  doubt  that  the  son  of  the  great  Chin-Chi- 
Loong  had  been  slain." 

"  The  son  of  the  merchant  of  the  south  lives  to 
avenge  the  death  of  his  Empei-or,"  said  Nicholas. 

"Hist!  hist!"  said  the  merchant,  pale  with  fear, 
lest  some  servant  might  hear  the  words;  adding, 
"Truly  Wey-t-song  but  merited  his  fate." 

"Art  thou  also  a  traitor,  O  Yang?"  exclaimed 
Nicholas,  indignantly. 

"  The  rich  need  be  cautious,  for  is  it  not  a  maxim, 
that  a  successful  rebel  is  more  to  be  feared  than  a 
dead  Emperor,  O  noble  Nicholas  ?" 

Indignant  as  he  was  at  this  disloyalty,  Nicholas, 
remembering  the  necessity  of  the  princess,  dissembled 
his  anger,  and  said,  "  Is  the  worthy  Yang  under  suf- 
ficient obligation  to  Chrn-Chi-Loong  to  serve  his 
son?" 

"  Even  to  the  extent  of  his  life  and  fortune." 

"  Then  I  wiU  trust  thee,"  said  Nicholas,  dropping 
the  usua.  formality  of  speech,  and  telling  him  the 
whole  of  his  adventure  of  the  morning. 

"  Truly,  0  youth,  this  is  a  dangerous  affair ;  but 
Yang  dares  not  break  faith  with  the  great  chief  who 
may  some  day  be  master  of  us  all,"  said  the  merchant, 
trembling  with  fear. 


234  THE   WAR  TIGEK. 

"  This,  then,  is  just ;  I  would  have  the  head-dresa 
and  mourning  garb  of  a  widow,  and  the  coarse  robes 
of  two  Coolies." 

"This  is  a  cautious  method  of  proceeding,  and 
shall  be  done,"  said  Yang,  who  left  the  room,  leaving 
the  impatient  youth  walking  to  and  fro  with  groat 
anxiety.  The  articles,  however,  not  being  very  diffi- 
cult to  obtain  in  that  part  of  the  city,  the  merchant 
soon  returned  with  them  packed  up  in  a  small  bale ; 
then,  hastily  thanking  Yang,  Nicholas  took  the  bale 
with  him  some  little  distance  from  the  house,  and 
paid  two  Coolies  to  carry  him  in  their  sedan  to  the 
gate  of  the  valley  of  tombs ;  having  arrived  there,  he 
jumped  out  of  the  chair,  and  paid  the  Coolies  hand- 
somely, telling  them  to  leave  it  near  the  gate,  and  to 
fetch  him  again  in  two  hours'  time ;  when,  not  in  the 
least  doubting  the  honesty  of  so  generous  a  customer, 
the  Coolies  went  off  to  spend  their  earnings  at  a  wine- 
shop, and  Nicholas  proceeded  cautiously  to  the 
cavern. 

*'  Having  explained  his  scheme  to  the  princess,  he 
left  her  in  the  cavern  to  attire  herself  in  the  widow's 
weeds,  while  he  and  Chow  proceeded  to  the  tomb 
above,  to  assume  the  garbs  of  Coolies. 

"  This  being  done,  he  gave  Chow  some  silver  and 
sent  him  off  to  the  wine-shop,  after  which  he  assisted 
the  princess  up  the  steps,  and,  supporting  her,  they 
slowly  walked  through  the  valley,  till  they  came  with- 
in a  short  distance  of  the  gate,  when,  to  the  delight 
of  Nicholas,  Chow  came  up  to  them  and  said  : — 

"I  found  the  two  sots  drinking  like  fishes,  and 


THE    SECRET    CAVERN.  235 

wlieu  I  told  tliem  a  merchant  wislied  to  hire  them, 
they  laughed  heartily,  saying,  that  they  had  already 
been  engaged  by  too  good  a  passenger  to  stir  for  the 
next  two  hours.' 

"  Then,  assisting  the  princess  into  the  chair,  Nich- 
olas and  Chow  took  the  place  of  the  Coohes,  and  so 
carried  it  to  the  house  of  Yang. 

As  Yang  had  prepared  the  ladies  of  his  family  to 
receive  a  young  girl,  who,  he  said,  was  about  to  be 
taken  into  a  distant  province  by  her  brother,  as  soon 
as  the  troubles  had  subsided,  the  princess  was  warmly 
received  in  the  Hall  of  Ancestors,  and  immediately 
conducted  to  the  inner  apartments  of  the  house. 
Cleverly  as  this  was  managed,  Nicholas  now  trembled 
for  the  safety  of  the  princess ;  indeed,  she  could  be 
safe  no  where,  but  with  the  Lady  Candida,  or  the 
Prince  Yong-Li,  both  of  whom  he  believed  to  have 
fled  to  Woo-san-Kwei,  in  Leao-tong,  therefore,  diffi- 
cult as  was  the  task,  he  determined  to  take  her  to  that 
province.  As  for  Yang,  whose  loyalty  was  stronger 
toward  the  family  of  Nicholas  than  to  the  imperial 
Une,  and  who  really  wished  a  person  likely  to  prove 
so  dangerous  as  the  j^rincess  out  of  his  house,  he  offer- 
ed his  advice  and  assistance ;  and  as  a  small  junk  be- 
lonGfinc:  to  him  was  about  to  proceed  to  Tien-sin,  on 
the  banks  of  the  Pei-ho  (or  white  river)  with  a  cargo 
of  goods  in  exchange  for  salt,  he  ofi'ered  to  place  it  at 
the  command  of  Nicholas,  who,  when  at  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  would  find  it  no  difficult  matter  to  make 
a  voyage  through  the  gulf  of  Pe-tche-Lee,  and  of  Leaa 
tong,  to  some  town  upon  the  coast. 


236  THE   WAli  TIGEK. 

This  being  arranged,  they  determined  that  the 
junk  should  start  as  soon  as  she  was  laden,  and  that 
the  princess  should  embark  as  a  young  widow,  whose 
husband  having  been  killed  in  the  rebellion,  was  re- 
turning to  see  her  friends  in  Leao-tong.  But  then 
the  princess  could  not  travel  without  a  female  attend- 
ant,— and  whom  could  they  trust  ?  that  seemed  their 
greatest  difficulty.  It  was  sui-mounted,  however  as 
you  will  see  in  the  next  chapter. 


A   LARGE   STOCK   OF   LADIES.  237 


"7 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

k    LARGE    STOCK   OF   LADIES,    TWO   TAELS    PER   SACK. 

Previoitslt  to  his  successful  march  upon  Pekin, 
Li-Kong  had  besieged  the  capital  of  the  great  prov- 
ince of  Honan,  which,  after  a  few  days' hard  fighting, 
he  succeeded  in  taking ;  when  by  way  of  punishing 
the  inhabitants  for  their  brave  resistance,  he  ordered 
a  slaughter  so  large  and  indiscriminate  that  for  many 
after  years  his  name  was  used  as  a  bugbear  to  frighten 
children  ;  so  insatiable  was  his  appetite  for  decapita- 
tion, that,  like  Nero,  he  longed  that  the  millions  had 
but  one  neck,  that  he  might  strike  the  whole  of  their 
heads  at  a  blow. 

The  mightiest  rivers,  however,  can  but  run  theii 
course,  and  so  at  length,  in  the  event  of  his  making 
himself  Emperor,  he  might  have  some  subjects  left, 
he  commenced  to  banish  and  to  pardon,  and  by  way 
of  rewarding  his  soldiers,  one  day  when  he  was  in 
a  good  humor,  he  commanded  them  to  sell  the  whole 
of  the  remaining  women  prisoners  in  the  pubUc 
market-place,  and  keep  the  money ;  but  as  the  soldiers 
asked  such  high  prices,  and  the  fathers,  husbands, 
and  brothers,  of  Honan,  had  been  robbed  of  theii 
property,  after  a  two  days'  sale  a  large  stock  of  ladies 


23S  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

remained  ou  hand,  Avliifh  they  were  obliged  to  take 
Avith  them  to  Pekin,  where,  after  the  conquest,  they 
hoped  to  obtain  better  prices. 

Tyrants  are,  however  capricious;  and  so,  being 
offended  with  his  soldiers  for  not  discovering  the 
princess,  with  hideous  humor  Li-Kong  ordered  the 
women  to  be  placed  in  sacks,  and  sold  with  other 
jjlunder  at  two  taels  each. 

Now  it  so  happened  that  on  the  morning  of  the 
sale.  Chow  was  passing  through  the  market-place, 
and  seeing  a  crowd  of  people  examining  the  sacks, 
which  were  arranged  in  rows  and  tied  at  the  necks, 
with  small  breathing  holes  near  the  top,  he  stop]3ed  to 
watch  the  progress  of  the  cruel  comedy.  Anxious 
fathers,  brothers,  and  husbands,  who  had  followed 
the  army  from  Ilonan,  for  the  purpose  of  rescuing 
their  female  relatives,  bought  sack  after  sack  at  the 
reduced  price,  each,  when  the  purchase  was  com- 
pleted, tearing  them  open;  the  greater  number,  how- 
ever, giving  vent  to  fearful  cries,  when  they  discov- 
ered that  their  chance  in  the  lottery  proved  a  blank ; 
others,  recognizing  a  wife,  daughter,  or  sister,  would 
become  almost  frantic  with  joy.  Many,  before  pur- 
chasing, would  slip  behind  a  sack,  rip  it  with  a  knife, 
to  have  a  peep,  and  get  rewarded  with  a  sound  caning 
for  their  artfulness. 

Well  there  were  only  half  a  ton,  or  at  least  five 
sacks  of  ladies  left  for  disposal,  when  a  great  lout  of  a 
countryman  drew  up  in  his  cart,  jumped  out,  and  after 
looking  at  his  almanac,  said,  "  Truly  this  is  a  fortu- 
nate day,  and  I  am  likely  to  get  a  good  wife  cheap ;  so, 


A  LARGE   STOCK  OF  LADIES.  2ol» 

althougli  tAvo  taels  is  all  I  have  obtained  for  my  last 
crop  of  rice,  I  will  trust  to  Fo ;  for  young  or  old, 
handsome  or  ugly,  I  must  have  a  wife  to  help  me  till 
my  grounds."  Just  then  a  shrill  scream  issued  from 
one  of  the  sacks.  "  Who  knows,"  continued  the 
countrjTnan,  "  but  the  gods  may  have  sent  that 
scream  to  direct  my  choice,  for  if  the  woman  is 
neither  young  nor  pretty  she  may  be  well  dressed,  and, 
consequently  the  wife  or  daughter  of  some  wealthy 
mandarin,  who  will  purchase  her  of  me,  and  so  make 
my  fortune?" 

"  Let  the  noble  paddy  bird  make  his  choice  quick- 
ly," said  a  soldier. 

"There  are  the  two  taels,  most  illustrious  war 
tiger,"  said  the  coxmtryman,  givmg  the  money  and 
taking  his  choice. 

"  We  will  see  thy  choice,"  said  one  of  the  soldiers, 
about  to  open  the  sack. 

"  Nay,  illustrious  soldier,  it  would  offend  the  gods 
if  other  eyes  but  mine  saw  my  prize."  So  saying,  the 
man  took  the  sack  up  in  his  huge  arms,  lifted  it  into 
the  cart,  and  drove  slowly  away,  followed  by  Chow, 
who  was  curious  to  discover  the  kind  of  prize  the  wise- 
acre had  drawn. 

Unable  to  restram  his  curiosity,  the  man  no  sooner 
reached  an  unfrequented  part  of  the  suburbs  than  he 
stopped  by  the  bank  of  a  canal,  pulled  a  knife  from 
his  pocket,  ripped  open  the  sack ;  but  then  a  change 
came  o'er  his  dream,  for  with  his  body  bent  double, 
his  two  hands  upon  his  knfies,  and  his  bullet  head 
thrown  to  tb*?  extreme  stretching  of  his  neck,  he 


2^0  THE   WAR  TIGER 

stared  with  disgust  for  at  least  a  minute,  tlien  in  a 
paroxysm  of  rage,  the  disappointed  ruffian  j^laced  his 
hands  upon  the  woman's  shoulders,  screaming, "  Thou 
vile  old  bamboo  stick!" 

The  trembling  woman  fell  upon  her  knees  and 
[  rayed  for  mercy. 

"  Has  the  wretched  woman  no  friend  who  will  pur- 
chase her  ?" 

"Truly  the  friends  and  relations  of  thy  servant 
have  been  slain  by  the  soldiers ;  she  has  no  friend  in 
the  world." 

"  Thou  hast  robbed  me  of  my  money,  thou  antique 
rat,  and  shall  be  punished,"  said  the  brute,  who,  first 
striking  her  to  the  ground,  picked  her  up  in  his  arms, 
and  would  have  thrown  her  into  the  canal  but  for 
Chow,  who,  going  to  the  back  of  thacart,  caught 
hold  of  the  man's  legs  and  dragged  him  on  to  the 
groimd,  when,  not  comprehending  the  wherefore  of 
his  wheelbarrow  position,  the  fellow  began  to  roar 
for  mercy,  but  turning  his  face  and  finding  his  enemy 
to  be  a  mere  youth,  he  sprang  upon  his  legs  and  at- 
tacked him  with  his  clenched  fists.  For  a  time  they 
had  a  hard  fight,  after  the  fashion  of  the  Chinese,  who 
are  as  much  given  to  that  sport,  pastime,  or  brutality, 
as  the  English  themselves.  At  length,  however,  with 
one  well-directed  blow,  Chow  settled  the  transaction, 
when,  admitting  himself  to  be  soimdly  thrashed,  as 
all  women-beaters  should  be,  the  bully  fell  upon  his 
knees,  and  said,  that  if  the  woman  were  a  relation  he 
was  sorry  for  what  he  had  done  in  the  moment  of 
vexation  at  losing  his  monev,  and  moreover,  begged 


A   LAKGE   STOCK  OF    LADIES.  241 

that  Chow  would   purchase  her  agam   for  half  the 
amount  he  had  paid, 

"  Take  the  whole,  thou  miserable  dog,"  said  Chow, 
throwing  down  two  taels  that  Nicholas  had  given 
him  in  the  morning,  to  purchase  a  thick  robe  for  the 
voj'^age  to  Leao-tong,  then,  lifting  the  poor  creature 
from  the  cart,  he  laid  her  upon  the  bank  of  the  canal, 
and  by  dashing  water  in  her  face  brought  her  to  her 
senses.  But  why  does  Chow  suddenly  fall  at  her  feet, 
kiss  the  hem  of  her  garment,  take  both  her  hands  in 
his  own,  gaze  in  her  face  for  a  moment,  and  then, 
thi'owing  his  arms  around  her  neck,  sob  like  an  in- 
fant. Surely  there  was  some  good  reason  for  such 
Ptrange  conduct  ? — We  shall  see. 

14 


"'•"l"'"-!'!"— "^ —  ^ 


242  THE   WAR  TIGER. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

cTIOW  MAKES  A  DISCOVEBT,  AND  NICHOLAS  A  SUJBPKISB. 

While  Chow  had  been  engaged  in  his  adventure 
with  the  countryman,  Yang  recived  inteUigence  from 
the  commander  of  his  junk,  that  the  vessel  was  laden, 
and  only  awaited  his  orders  for  sailing.  So  far,  cir- 
cumstances were  favorable  for  the  voyage  to  Leao- 
tong,  and  if  they  could  but  secure  a  proper  attendant 
for  the  princess  they  might  set  out  that  evening. 
That  was  the  great  difficulty  to  be  got  over.  Many 
plans  were  suggested,  but  all  seemed  so  fraught  with 
danger  of  discovery,  that  they  were  well  nigh  at  theii- 
wit's  end.  While  Nicholas  and  Yang  were  discuss- 
ing the  matter,  there  was  a  great  hammering  upon 
the  gong  at  the  door.  It  was  Chow,  who  in  another 
minute  stood  before  them.  Alone  ?  No,  but  to  the 
astonishment  of  Nicholas,  accompanied  by  a  woman, 
so  veiled  that  no  feature  could  be  seen. 

"How !  what  means  this  ?    Who  is  this  woman  ?" 
exclaimed  Nicholas. 

"  The  noble  Nicholas  bestowed  two  taels  upon  hia 
servant." 

"  What  words  are  these  ?"  replied  Nicholas,  impa/- 
tiently ;  adding ;  "  Hast  thou  bought  the  robe  ?" 

"  Pardon,  O  noble  master,  but  thy  servant  can  bet 


CHOW   MAKES  A   DISCOVERY.  243 

ter  do  witliout  a  robe  for  the  rest  of  his  life  than  the 
glorious  purchase  he  has  made  with  those  taels." 

"  What  purchase  is  this,  thou  rogue  ?"  said  Nicho- 
las, vexed  that  he  could  get  no  direct  answer. 

"  His  dearly  beloved  lost  mother,  O  my  master. " 
"  Thy  mother !  "What  words  are  these  ?" 
Then,  when  Chow  had  related  the  scene  with 
the  sacks,  and  his  adventure  with  the  country- 
man, and  how  that  it  resulted  in  the  discovery 
of  his  mother,  who  stood  before  them,  Nicholas 
heartily  and  sincerely  congratulated  him,  as  did  also 
the  merchants,  who  ordered  the  servants  to  take  her 
to  the  inner  apartments,  all  of  which  so  gratified  the 
delighted  Chow  that  he  fell  at  the  feet  of  Nicholas, 
kissed  the  hem  of  his  robe,  and  with  tears  of  grati- 
tude and  joy  told  them  that  his  mother  had  made  her 
escape  from  the  slayer  of  her  husband,  but  having 
been  retaken,  the  enraged  mandarin  had  ordered 
her  to  be  sold  with  the  other  women.  So,  O  noble 
Nicholas,  has  the  great  Tien  rewarded  thy  servant 
for  endeavoring  to  rescue  what  he  thought  to  be  a 
strange  woman  from  a  villain,  who  was  about  casting 
her  in  the  canal." 

"  Now,  nothing  could  be  more  fortunate  for  all 
parties  than  this  discovery  of  Chow's,  for  as  the 
mother  would  not  leave  Chow,  nor  Chosv  leave  his 
mother  or  his  master,  if  he  could  help  it,  it  was  spee- 
dily settled  that  no  better  attendant  could  be  found 
for  the  princess,  and  so  it  was  arranged  that  they 
should  start  at  once. 

The  merchant,  partly  by  his  great  interest  with  tho 


24:4  THE   WAR   TIGER. 

usurper  s  government,  and  partly  by  bribes,  secured 
a  com-ho  or  passport  for  himself  and  family  ;  sedan 
chairs  were  procured,  and  the  whole  party  passed 
through  the  city  to  the  river,  where  the  junk  was 
awaiting  them.  Then,  having  seen  them  safe  on 
board  and  given  instructions  to  his  captain  to  obey 
Nicholas,  he  placed  a  purse  of  silver  in  the  youth's 
hands,  took  his  leave,  and  left  the  travelers  to  pursue 
their  journey,  and  with  but  one  interruption  from  a 
river  mandarin,  who  stopped  their  progress  to  exam- 
ine their  cam-ho,  the  junk  proceeded  down  the  Pei-ho, 
or  wliite  river. 

The  junk  was  upon  a  small  scale  something  like 
what  the  houses  of  our  merchants  were,  when,  proud 
of  their  profession,  they  had  their  residences  attached 
to  their  warehouses,  one-half  being  occupied  by  the 
cargo,  and  the  other  divided  into  rooms,  each  of 
which  was  furnished  in  accordance  with  the  quality 
of  its  tenant.  The  two  usually  set  aside  for  the  la- 
dies of  the  family  were  tenanted  by  the  princess,  who, 
as  became  her  rank  and  sex,  kept  herself  secluded 
from  the  eyes  of  the  male  passengers  and  sailors. 

For  several  days  they  continued  their  voyage  down 
the  river,  till  by  the  fields  of  millet  seed,  pulse,  and 
turnips,  the  numerous  mud  hovels,  the  shoals  of  small 
boats,  and  the  thousands  of  starving  men,  women, 
and  children,  who  were  paddling  about  the  fields, 
and  the  very  city  of  huge  salt  stacks  upon  the  banks, 
they  saw  that  they  were  approaching  the  town  of 
Tien-sin,  at  which  place,  in  consequence  of  the  num- 
ber of  vessels  which  had  arrived  that  day  laden  witu 


enow   MAKES  A   DISCOVERY^  215 

ciinber,  they  wero  delayed  for  some  time  Lefore  the 
captain  could  unload  his  vessel  and  take  in  a  cargo 
of  salt. 

As  in  our  own  manufacturing  counties  many  thou- 
sands of  poor  mechanics  and  artisans  make  little  liv- 
ings for  themselves  and  great  fortunes  for  their  em- 
ployers, so  in  Tien-sin,  the  most  miseraWy  poor  and 
shrivelled  portion  of  the  vast  population  in  China  pro- 
duce a  commodity  which  places  their  masters,  the 
salt  dealers,  among  the  most  wealthy  merchants  in 
the  Empire.  While  the  captain  is  unloading  his 
cargo  I  will  tell  you  how  these  people  produce  this 
common  edible. 

In  addition  to  the  pits  of  salt,  which,  like  coal,  are 
found  in  many  of  the  provinces,  there  are  many 
places  where  it  is  discovered  by  scattered  spots  of 
gray  earth.  To  obtain  this  salt,  they  level  the  sur- 
face of  the  earth  as  smooth  as  glass  and  in  a  sloping 
direction  so  that  the  water  will  run  off.  "When  dried 
by  the  sun,  and  the  white  particles  of  salt  are  seen, 
they  first  raise  it  in  small  heaps,  like  haycocks,  then 
spread  it  upon  sloping  tables  with  ledges,  and  pour 
soft  water  upon  it,  which,  as  it  soaks  in,  extracts  the 
salt  and  runs  into  an  earthen  vessel  by  means  of  a 
small  channel  The  earth  thus  drained  is  not  wasted, 
but  laid  aside,  so  that  after  a  few  days,  when  dry, 
they  reduce  it  to  a  fine  powder,  and  replace  it  in  the 
spot  from  whence  it  was  taken,  when,  after  six  days, 
it  is  again  mixed  with  particles  of  salt,  which  are 
awain  extracted  as  before,  so  that  not  one  atom  be- 
comes  lost. 


246  THE   WAR   TIGER. 

"While  the  men  are  thus  engaged  in  the  fields,  the 
women  and  children  are  enij)loyed  in  huts,  in  boiling 
the  salt  water  in  large  iron  basins,  which  they  place 
over  an  earthen  stove,  with  holes  made  in  such  a  man- 
ner that  the  fire  heats  all  the  basins  alike.  When  the 
saltwater  has  boiled  some  time,  it  becomes  thick,  and 
changes  slowly  into  a  very  white  salt,  which  is  stirred 
with  an  iron  spatula  till  it  becomes  quite  dry. 

When  the  captain  had  exchanged  his  cargo  for  an 
other  of  dates,  which  he  intended  again  to  exchange 
profitably  in  Leao-tong  for  j^eas  and  drugs,  Nicholas 
purchased  a  quantity  of  furs  and  mats,  which  he  soon 
found  to  be  necessary;  for,  as  they  approached 
further  to  the  north,  the  winds  blew  keenly,  and  the 
iceblocks  floated  so  numerously  as  frequently  to  im- 
pede their  voyage ;  indeed,  the  cold  was  so  intense 
that  nothing  but  the  fear  of  losing  life  or  liberty,  or 
the  love  of  gold,  would  have  induced  any  one  to  make 
the  voyage  in  that  inclement  season  (it  was  in  No- 
vember). Indeed,  by  the  time  they  had  passed  the 
the  mouth  of  the  Pei-ho  and  got  into  the  gulf  of 
Pe-tche-Lee,  the  snow  fell  so  heavily,  and  the  north 
winds  blew  so  keenly,  that,  breaking  through  all  dis- 
cipline, the  sailors  lighted  fires  upon  the  deck,  and 
laid  near  them,  drinking  rice  spirit  so  copiously,  that 
Had  not  Nicholas,  who  knew  so  well  how  to  manage 
such  insubordinates,  thrown  the  spirit  tubs  over- 
board, they  must  have  foundered  upon  the  Sha-loo- 
poo-teen  islands.  As  it  was,  so  long  and  so  rough 
was  the  passage  across  the  gulf,  that  the  princess  be- 
came fearfully  ill ;  so  much  so,  indeed,  that  at  one 


CHOW   MAKES   A   DISCOVERY.  247 

time  they  feared  she  would  have  died.  At  length, 
however,  they  came  to  an  anchor  off  the  coast  of 
Kin-Chow,  a  distance  of  seven  miles  from  the  shore, 
and  so  planted  with  dangerous  rocks  that  they  were 
compelled  to  make  fire-signals  for  the  townspeople  to 
put  off  to  them  in  their  lighters  or  barges. 

As  the  people  have  these  lighters  always  ready  for 
the  purpose,  it  was  not  long  before  several  answered 
the  signal,  and  came  alongside.  Choosing  the  most 
commodious,  Nicholas  caused  a  large  fire  to  be  lighted 
in  the  cabin,  where  the  princess,  who  was  too  ill  to 
walk,  was  lifted  on  board,  and  the  lightermen  rowed 
them  the  roughest  seven  miles  of  their  journey. 
Nicholas  and  Chow  paced  the  deck  in  no  very  good 
humor,  as  they  were  obliged  to  entrust  themselves 
to  the  sloAV  movements  of  the  boatmen,  who  neither 
for  love  nor  money  would  hasten  their  pace.  More- 
over, as  the  sea  rolled  so  heavily,  the  distance  was 
lengthened  by  their  being  compelled  to  take  a  cir- 
cuitous course  between  and  around  the  dangerous 
rocks. 

When  the  boatman,  who,  although  slow,  were  sure, 
brought  them  beneath  the  huge  rocks  which  form  the 
sea-walls  of  Leao-tong,  Chow  looked  up  with  amaze- 
ment. "Surely,"  said  he,  "  Yen- Vang  must  have 
built  these  great  rocks  to  prevent  the  province  from 
falling  upon  the  heads  of  the  people  ui  his  watery 
dominions;"  adding,  as  he  saw  some  little  birds, 
like  swallows,  flying  about  the  rocks,  "Truly,  if  my 
eyeballs  are  straight,  those  little  creatures  promise 
us  some  of  the  soup  of  life." 


2J:8  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

"Truly  our  eyeballs  play  us  false,  O  Chow,  for 
these  birds  are  seldom  found  but  on  the  coast  of 
Tonquin,  Java,  and  Cochm-China,"  said  Nicholas 
doubtfully. 

"  It  is  true  that  the  servant  has  not  the  wisdom  of 
his  master,  yet  the  stomach  and  the  nose  are  excel- 
lent diviners.  Moreover,  it  is  said  that  this  bird-nest 
soup  is  strengthening  to  the  Aveak.  The  pi'incess  is 
weak,  0  my  master,  and  Chow  would  obtain  some  of 
those  nests." 

Then,  as  they  were  near  a  jutting  point  of  the  rock 
of  no  very  difficult  ascent,  Nicholas  ordered  the  barge 
to  stop,  while  Chow  ascended  and  procured  some 
half-dozen  of  the  nests,  from  which  to  the  present 
day,  one  of  the  most  popular  dishes  of  China  is  made. 

As  Nicholas  had  said,  these  birds'  nests  are  seldom 
found  except  on  the  coasts  of  Java,  Cochin-China, 
and  Tonquin.  The  birds  are  not  unlike  swallows,  as 
to  their  feathers ;  the  nests,  which  they  build  high 
up  in  the  clefts  of  the  rocks,  are  supposed  to  be  com- 
posed of  small  sea-fish,  fastened  together  by  means 
of  a  viscous  juice,  which  distils  from  the  beaks  of  the 
little  creatures,  and  serves  as  a  gum  to  fasten  the 
nests  to  the  rock.  They  are  also  seen  to  take  the 
froth  that  floats  upon  the  sea,  with  which  they  cement 
every  part  of  their  nests,  in  the  same  manner  that 
swallows  build  with  mud  and  clay.  This  matter 
being  dried,  becomes  solid,  transparent,  and  of  a 
greenish  color  ;  but,  while  fresh,  it  is  generally  white. 

When  Chow  had  procured  these  nests,  the  boat- 
men resumed  their  toil,  and  in  a  short  time  reached 


CHOW   MAKES  A  DISCOVERY.  249 

the  liarbor ;  Chow  landed  first,  and  having  procured 
a  litter,  the  princess  and  his  mother  were  conveyed 
through  the  rows  of  dirty-lookiug  granite  houses, 
which  form  the  town  of  Kin-Chow,  till  they  arrived 
"t  a  small  ion. 


250  THE   WAR   TIGER. 


CHAPTER  XXXIL 

fnCIIOLAS     PUNISHES     AN     UNGRATEFUL     INNKEEPER, 
AND    ESCAPES    FKOM    HIS   TREACHERY. 

Rejoiced  that  the  tedious  sea-voyage  was  at  an 
end  and  that  the  princess  would,  in  all  probability,  by 
a  few  day's  rest,  gain  health  and  strength  sufficient 
for  the  long  land  journey  before  them,  you  may  guess 
the  vexation  of  Nicholas,  on  arriving  at  the  inn,  to 
find  a  crowd  of  persons  around  the  door  enjoying 
the  following  scene.  The  innkeeper  was  kneeling 
before  the  chair  of  a  tax-gathering  mandarin,  surroun 
ded  by  his  bamboo  sticks  in  waiting,  who  seemed  to 
have  in  their  charge  three  beggars. 

Mandarin. — "  Thrice  loath  the  dog's  hide  been  cor- 
rected, and  yet  his  tribute  is  not  ready." 

Innkeeper. — "  Is  it  not  true,  O  tribute-collecting 
lord,  that  but  little  may  be  gleaned  from  an  empty 
purse  ?" 

Mandarin. — "Therein  is  thy  crime,  slave,  that 
having  thrice  received  our  paternal  correction,  thy 
vile  purse  should  still  remain  empty.  Know,  thou 
mean  dog,  that  the  purse  of  the  subject  should  be  ever 
at  the  service  of  the  Emperor." 

Innkeeper^  giving  his  empty  purse. — "The  laws  of 
the  empire  must  be  obeyed,  there  is  thy  servant's 
purse." 


AN   UNGRATEFUL   INNKEEPER.  251 

Mandarin,  angrily. — "  "Would  the  vile  innkeeper 
laugh  in  our  face  ?" 

Innkeeper. — "  Surely,  0  great  mandarin,  the  owner 
of  an  empty  purse  hath  but  Uttle  cause  for  laughing !" 

Mandarin. — "  Thou  incorrigible  dog,  where  hath 
been  thy  industry,  that  thou  hast  not  sufficient  even 
to  pay  thy  taxes  ?" 

Innkeeper. — "Truly  the  wars  and  the  robbers 
have  driven  from  the  province  its  trade,  and  thy  ser- 
vant hath  not  rice  sufficient  to  sustain  life  in  the  mean 
bodies  of  himself  and  family." 

Mandari?i. — "If  these  are  straight  words,  the 
dog's  life  cannot  be  of  value  to  him ;  let  him,  there- 
fore, pay  the  debt  he  owes  to  the  Emperor,  by 
humbly  begging  of  the  Tartar-subduing  General, 
Woo-san-Kwei  to  let  him  offer  his  carcass  of  full 
measure  to  the  barbarians,  that  he  may  shield  the  life 
of  a  better  man." 

Innkeeper. — ^Truly,  O  fountain  of  wisdom  the  offi- 
cers of  the  rebel-subduing  general  have  already  stolen 
from  thy  servant  his  four  sons." 

Mandarin. — "  Stolen,  thou  vile  rat !  Let  the 
rogue  receive  twenty  blows  for  this  word  of  disre- 
spect, and  fifty  for  half  the  debt  he  owes  to  the  Em- 
peror." 

In  an  instant  the  innkeeper  was  thrown  upon 
his  face,  and  while  one  man  held  his  head,  and  an- 
other his  feet,  a  third  belabored  the  poor  fellow  till 
he  roared  again.  When  the  punishment  was  con- 
cluded, and  the  innkeeper  had,  according  to  custom, 
thanked  the  official  for  his  kindness,  the  mandarin 


252  THE   WAK  TIGEK. 

Baid,  "Such  is  the  punishment  of  rogues  who  will  not 
pay  their  taxes  ;  adding,  "But  that  the  cheating  inn- 
keeper may  not  escape  too  easily,  let  him  provide 
food  and  lodging  for  these  three  poor  people  till  his 
debt  be  paid." 

"  May  thy  servant  inquire  the  amount  of  this  inn- 
keeper's debt;  for  it  is  fitting  that  the  taxeH 
should  be  paid?"  said  Nicholas,  coming  forward  to 
the  astonishment  of  the  official,  who  said,  sternly, 
"  The  sum,  bold  stranger,  is  one  ounce  of  silver." 

"  Then,  may  thy  servant  be  permitted  to  pay  this 
silver  ;  for  he  would  engage  for  himself  and  sister  the 
man's  house,  .which  cannot  be  large  enough  for  these 
poor  people  also  ?" 

"  Truly  it  may  not  be  refused,"  replied  the  man- 
darin, taking  the  money,  and  rescinding  his  order  for 
the  accommodation  of  the  poor  people ;  but  adding, 
as  he  left  the  spot,  "  It  is  a  maxim  that  people  should 
settle  their  own  debts  before  paying  those  of  others." 

"Where  is  the  justice  now,  my  master;  for 
although  he  has  received  the  debt  in  full,  that  rat  of 
the  taxes  hath  not  taken  back  the  blows  from  this 
poor  man's  hide  ?"  said  Chow,  fortunately  for  himself 
in  such  soft  tones  that  he  could  not  be  heard  by  the 
mandarin.  More  pleased  than  otherwise  at  the  scene 
which  they  had  considered  good  fun,  the  crowd  dis 
persed ;  when,  silencing  the  noisy  gratitude  of  the  inn- 
keeper, who,  after  all,  had  been  more  frightened  than 
hurt  Avith  the  blows  which  had  been  dealt  out  to  him, 
as  much  as  a  matter  of  form  as  a  punishment,  Nicho- 
las and  his  party  entered  the  inn,   and  having  se« 


AN    UNGKATEFUL   INNKEEPER.  253 

3ured  the  two  l)est  rooms,  one  for  the  princess  and  her 
attendant,  the  other  for  himself  and  Chow,  he  gave 
the  bird's  nests  to  the  wife  of  the  innkeeper  for  the 
use  of  the  ladies. 

As  for  themselves,  the  boys  made  a  good  meal,  and 
then  whiled  the  time  away  in  conversation  till  it  be- 
came dark,  when  they  both  sought  their  beds ;  which, 
queer  as  it  may  seem  to  you — bemg  nothing  but 
piles  of  bricks  shaped  to  the  human  form,  and  heated 
from  beneath  with  charcoal,  the  flame  and  heat  of 
which  are  dispersed  by  pipes  joined  to  an  upright 
tube,  which  carries  the  smoke  through  the  roof — 
they  greatly  enjoyed  after  their  long  journey. 

The  next  morning  Nicholas  visited  the  princess, 
and  to  his  surprise  and  delight  found  that  she  had  re- 
covered her  strength.  "  This  is  indeed  joy,  O  my 
princess !"  said  he,  kneeling ;  when,  taking  him  by  the 
hand,  the  royal  lady  said,  "Kneel  not  before  her 
whom  thou  hast  so  much  befriended,  O  noble  youth ; 
for  it  is  naught  but  the  poor  fatherless  girl  La-Loo 
who  is  before  thee,  and  would  indeed  be  thy  sister." 

"  This  is  not  possible  ;  the  daughter  of  the  Ming 
can  never  be  less  in  the  world  than  its  princess — first 
in  beauty  as  in  rank,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  The  daughter  of  the  Ming,  or  the  girl  La-Loo,  be 
she  whom  she  may,  noble  youth,  will  travel  alone 
through  this  dreary  province  in  search  of  her  brother, 
if  she  can  not  journey  as  thy  sister." 

"Then  be  it  so,  for  thy  servant  dares  not  disobey, 
O  beautiful  La-Loo !"  said  Nicholas  ;  adding,  "  Is  it 
the  will  of  the  princess,  to  proceed  upon  her  journey  ?" 


264  THE   WAE  TIGER. 

"The  will  of  her  adopted  brother  is  the  will  of  La- 
Loo,"  replied  the  princess,  and  Nicholas  left  the 
room  ;  but  pushing  the  door  before  him,  imagine  his 
surprise  to  find  the  innkeeper  at  the  threshhold  with 
his  little  head  upward,  his  short  arms  stretched  for- 
ward from  his  great  body,  and  his  legs  in  the  hands 
of  Chow,  who  appeared  to  be  pulling  him  from  the 
door. 

"  Release  thy  mean  servant  from  the  hands  of  this 
vile  person,  0  noble  youth,  or  his  legs  will  be  pulled 
as  easily  from  his  body  as  those  of  a  crab,"  said  the 
man,  piteously  looking  in  the  face  of  Nicholas. 

"  The  rascal,  the  rogue,  the  elephant  in  size,  but 
mouse  in  honesty,  was  listening  to  thy  conversation, 
O  my  master,"  said  Chow. 

"  Let  the  mean  rat  rise  upon  his  bamboo  legs," 
said  Nicholas ;  adding,  "  What  has  the  dog  learned 
of  his  guests'  aifairs.  ?" 

"  Truly  so  grand  a  mien  could  belong  to  none  but 
the  son  of  a  king,  and  so  beautiful  a  lady,  could  be 
none  other  than  a  princess,"  said  the  man. 

"  Thou  rascal,"  said  Nicholas ;  but  adding,  more 
prudently,  "  Canst  thou  be  honest,  and  serve  ns  ?" 

"  For  ever,  O  noble  youth,"  replied  the  innkeeper. 

"Trust  not  so  small  a  mouse,"  said  Chow. 

"  The  innkeeper  shall  be  rewarded  according  to  his 
merits.  Let  him  conduct  his  guest  to  the  merchants 
of  the  town,  and  he  shall  receive  some  silver,"  said 
Nicholas,  quitting  the  house  with  the  man,  who  led 
him  to  the  various  dealers  and  merchants, from  whom 
he  purchased  a  camel,  a  mule,  a  tent,  provision,  and 


AN   UNGRATEFUL   INNKEEPER.  255 

'in  short  all  things  necessary  for  a  long  journey  over- 
land. 

When  he  had  made  these  pitrchases,  he  whispered 
some  secret  instruction  in  the  ear  of  Chow,  and 
sent  him  with  the  animals  and  articles  back  to  the 
inn  ;  after  which  he  said,  "  Will  the  worthy  innkeep- 
er open  his  lips  in  a  temple,  and  promise  to  keep 
to  himself  the  secret  he  has  discovered  ?" 

Truly  the  noble  youth  does  not  doubt  that  the  words 
of  his  servant  are  straight?"  replied  the  man,  evasively. 

"The  worthy  innkeeper  njust  do  this,  or  forfeit 
these  two  ounces  of  silver,"  rephed  Nicholas,  exhibit- 
ing the  money,  which  had  the  desired  effect. 

"  There  is  but  one  temple  for  this  poor  town,  and 
that  is  upon  the  mountain  without  the  walls." 

"  To  that  we  will  proceed,  if  the  worthy  innkeeper 
will  show  the  way." 

The  man  obeyed ;  they  passed  through  the  gatea 
of  the  town  into  a  narrow  road,  which  led  them  to 
the  foot  of  a  high  mountain,  near  the  summit  of  which 
stood  a  small  temple. 

"  It  would  be  better  to  seek  an  altar  within  the  in- 
ner apartments  of  thy  servant's  inn,  the  gods  would  be 
equally  as  attentive  to  his  promise,  and  the  noble  youth 
would  be  saved  the  necessity  of  climbing  so  steep  ahill." 

"  Truly  this  temple  can  not  be  used  often,  or  some 
easier  means  of  ascent  Avould  be  made,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  The  words  of  the  noble  youth  are  wise,  for  truly 
this  temple  is  but  used  on  the  festivals  of  the  first  of 
the  mouth." 
"  When  is  the  next  festival,  O  worthy  innkeeper  ?" 


256  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

"  To-morrow." 

"  Then  ascend." 

Obeying,  the  innkeeper  commenced  climbing  the 
narrow  and  slippery  stairs  cut  in  the  hill  side ;  when 
they  reached  the  top  and  stood  in  the  temple  before 
a  huge  wooden  god,  who  seemed  to  form  part  of  the 
back  wall  of  the  temple,  out  of  which  he  had  been  cut, 
Nicholas,  pointing  to  one  of  the  arms  of  the  idol,  said, 
"  Truly,  the  god  hath  been  neglected  and  requires 
painting."  Turning  his  back  to  Nicholas  to  examine 
the  idol,  the  man  gave  a  shriek  of  alarm.  Nicholas 
had  taken  a  cord  from  his  vest,  thrown  it  over  his 
arms,  and  made  him  as  harmless  as  if  he  had  been  in 
a  straight  jacket. 

"  What  means  the  youth ;  is  he  a  robber  ?" 

"  Silence  thou  ungrateful  hog,"  said  Nicholas,  pull- 
in  sf  him  toward  the  idol,  to  which  he  secured  his 
body,  legs  and  arms. 

"  Now,  thou  dog,  open  thy  lips,  and  say  what  fell 
into  thine  ears  whilst  thou  wast  listening  at  the  door 
of  the  ladies'  aj^artments." 

"  Truly,  thy  mean  servant  could  not  hear  much, 
for  little  was  said  by  the  princess." 

"  Then  how,  thou  trembling  rogue,  couldst  thou 
know  it  was  a  princess  who  spoke  ?" 

"Thy  servant  divined  that  the  lady  must  be  ot 
exalted  rank ;  for  in  the  first  place,  had  she  not  been 
a  great  lady  escaping  from  the  province  of  Pekin,  she 
would  not  have  crossed  the  gulf  in  such  weather, 
neither  would  so  noble  a  youth  as  thyself  have  treat- 
ed a  sister  with  such  exalted  respect." 


AN   UNGRATEFUL   INNKEEPER.  257 

"  Thou  art  a  cunning  dog,  whose  words  are  dust ; 
and  if  thou  dost  not  admit  that  thy  vile  ears  were  at 
that  door  before  the  time  when  thou  wert  caught,  1 
will  slay  thee,"  said  Nicholas,  drawing  his  short 
sword,  and  holding  it  threateningly. 

"  Pardon,  O  noble  youth ;  but  as  iron  can  not  re- 
sist the  lode-stone,  neither  can  the  ears  of  thy  servant 
resist  a  secret:  he  did — did  listen,"  said  the  man 
trembling  with  fear. 

"What  didst  thou  hear,  dog  ?"  the  sword  was  now 
at  his  throat. 

"  That  the  Emperor  Wey-t-song  was  slain,  and 
that  the  Emperor  Li  had  offered  a  great  reward  for 
the  Princess  of  the  Mings." 

Should  I  kill  thee,  thou  mean  rat,  tbou  wouldst  but 
meet  thy  merits." 

"  The  magnanimous  youth  would  not  soil  his  sword 
with  the  blood  of  so  mean  a  person." 

"  No ;  but  thou  shalt  remain  here  tUl  we  are  be- 
yond the  reach  of  harm  from  thy  vile  tongue." 

"  Surely  the  noble  youth  would  not  starve  so  iU-con- 
ditioned  a  person,"  said  the  man  in  a  whining  tone. 
"  Thou  art  now  safe,  thou  rogue,  and  I  will  pay  thee 
the  two  taels  I  promised ;  but  if  even  when  released 
from  thy  bondage  when  the  temple  is  visited  to-mor- 
row, thou  speak  but  the  name  of  the  lady  you  have 
seen,  I  will  return  and  punish  thee,  if  it  is  years  to 
come."  So  saying  Nicholas  threw  the  silver  upon 
the  floor,  closed  the  door  of  the  temple,  descended 
the  mountain,  and  made  as  much  haste  as  possible 
back  to  the  inn. 
17 


258  THE  WAR  TIGER. 


CHAPTER 

AK     OVERLAJSD     JOUEIOIT. — ATTACKED     BY     "WOLVES, 
ATSD    STOPPED   BY  A   SERPENT. 

By  the  time  Nicholas  returned  to  the  inn,  Chow 
had  prepared  every  thing  for  their  departure ;  the 
camel  was  laden  with  a  htter  for  the  two  ladies,  be- 
hind which  were  two  tents,  rough  sleeping  mats,  furs 
and  a  supply  of  food  and  fuel. 

"  All  is  prepared,  0  noble  Nicholas,  according  to 
thy  order,"  said  Chow. 

"  Thou  art  as  nimble  as  thou  art  brave.  Chow," 
said  Nicholas,  passing  to  the  room  of  the  princess, 
whom  he  found  with  the  mother  of  Chow  well 
wrapped  in  furs. 

"  It  is  well  that  thou  art  prepared,  O  beautiful  and 
illustrious  La-Loo,  for  the  villain  innkeeper  heard  our 
conversation,  and  I  doubt  not  intended  to  earn  the 
rebel  Li-Kong's  reward."     At  this  the  limbs  of  the 

CD 

princess  trembled,  and  her  face  became  pale  with 
fear. 

"  Let  us  haste  then,  0  noble  brother,  for  La-Loo 
fears  that  demon  Li-Kong,  and  would  rather  that 
her  parent's  blow  had  proved  effective  than  fall  into 
his  power." 

"  The  weather  is  severe  and  the  journey  drear,  and 
fraught  with  dangers  of  savage  beasts  and  still  mor« 


AN  OVERLAND  JOURNEY.        250 

savage  men,"  said  Nicholas,  as  fearful  of  the  danger  of 
proceeding  as  of  remaining ;  "  adding,  "At  least  the 
innkeeper  can  not  return  tUl  to-morrow,  and  early 
morning  would  be  less  dangerous  than  the  darkness 
of  this  winter's  night." 

"  The  last  of  the  line  of  the  great  Tait-sou  have  the 
courage  of  their  ancestors.  Let  us  on  our  journey, 
my  brother  said  the  princess. 

Without  another  word  Nicholas  led  the  princess 
and  her  attendant  to  the  camel,  and  assisted  them 
mto  the  Utter. 

"  Surely,"  said  La-Loo,  "  there  are  times  when 
women  should  have  the  courage  of  men.  An  arrow 
sped  by  my  hand  would  be  as  useful  as  one  from 
the  bow  of  my  brother." 

Understanding  the  meaning  Nicholas  gave  the 
princess  his  own  bow,  and  quiver  full  of  arrows. 

"  Truly  my  venerable  and  beloved  parent  can  pull 
a  bow-string  to  save  her  life,"  said  Chow  giving  his 
bow  and  arrows  to  his  mother. 

"  This  is  not  well,  Chow,  for  we  are  left  unarmed, 
except  with  our  short  swords,  which  will  be  of  Httle 
use,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  The  noble  Nicholas  left  Chow  to  provide  for  the 
journey,  and  so,  knowing  that  female  arms,  like 
female  tongues,  can  fight  when  the  time  comes,  he 
provided  weapons  for  each,"  said  Chow,  taking  two 
bows  from  the  sides  of  the  mule. 

"  Thou  hast  the  wisdom  and  foresight  of  a  colao,  0 
Chow,"  said  Nicholas,  laughing;  then  adding,  && 
riously,  "  But  the  guide." 


2G0  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

"Is  here,  O  noble  stranger,  and  as  he  hopes  t« 
have  his  tomb  well  dusted,  will  conduct  thee  safely 
to  the  distant  mountains,"  said  a  youth,  stepping  for- 
ward with  an  unlighted  torch  in  his  hand. 

Nicholas  then  mounting  behind  the  camel,  Chow 
upon  the  mule,  and  the  guide  taking  hold  of  the  cord 
which  was  tied  to  the  great  animal's  mouth,  they 
proceeded  on  their  journey,  and  as  it  was  just  within 
the  time  of  closing  the  gates,  they  passed  out  of  the 
town  into  the  open  country  of  teas  and  drugs;  and 
so  quickly  did  they  travel,  that  before  night  came  on 
they  had  reached  a  narrow  gorge  between  two 
mountains,  which  was  good,  inasmuch  as  they  would 
be  protected  from  the  keen  winds.  The  darkness 
came  on,  and  the  guide  lighted  his  torch,  which 
flamed  so  terrifically,  that  they  might  have  passed 
for  one  of  our  slow  night  trains. 

"  So  for  some  hours  they  traveled,  tUl  they  came 
to  a  forest  so  dense  with  trees  that  the  guide  would 
go  no  further,  and  they  pitched  the  two  tents,  one 
for  the  ladies,  and  the  other  for  themselves,  surround- 
ing both  with  a  great  fire,  made  of  stubble,  to  keep 
off  the  wolves  or  other  beasts  of  prey.  The  follow- 
ing morning  they  resumed  their  journey,  till  as  they 
were  leaving  the  forest,  they  could  hear  the  distant 
howling  of  wolves  ;  the  camel  exhibited  its  fright  by 
makmg  strange  noises,  and  the  mule  grew  restless, 
snorted,  and  every  now  and  then  tui-ned  its  head  as 
if  to  look  for  its  enemies.  The  whole  party  fixed  ar- 
rows in  their  bows,  ready  for  an  attack,  and  for  some 
time  their  hearts  palpitated  with  alarm.     Ordering 


AN  OVERLANU  JOURNEF.  261 

the  little  caravan  to  stop,  Nicholas  sent  Chow  to  ex- 
amine the  probability  of  an  attack.  He  had  been  ab- 
sent half  an  hour  when  they  heard  the  trampling  of 
horses  near  at  hand.  What  could  it  mean  ?  surely 
they  were  not  pursued?  Then  came  Chow,  who, 
rnnning  forward,  said,  "  We  are  lost,  O  my  master, 
for  there  are  banditti  near." 

"  On  my  brother,  on,  for  these  rogues  are  doubtless 
the  troops  of  the  rebel  Li-Kong,"  exclaimed  the  prin- 
cess, as  she  leant  forward  from  the  Utter  with  the 
bent  bow  in  her  hand  ;  and  onward  they  went,  with 
open  ears,  and  as  noiselessly  as  possible ;  passing  along 
the  side  of  a  mountain  into  which  the  wood  opened, 
till  they  came  to  a  gorge,  when  the  guide  stopped, 
and  proposed  that  they  should  make  a  detour^  in 
order  to  avoid  the  passage  of  the  mountain  platform. 

"  It  is  not  possible,  my  master ;  for  to  the  right 
are  the  banditti,  to  the  left  the  wolves-  Let  us  keep 
onward  and  dare  this  platform ;"  and  again  they  pro- 
ceeded through  the  gorge.  Still  the  wolves  kept  up 
their  dreary  howling,  and  the  trampling  of  the  ban- 
ditti, if  banditti  they  were,  seemed  at  no  greater  dis- 
tance from  them  than  the  animals ;  at  length  they 
passed  through  the  gorge,  when  a  sight  was  before 
them  that  would  have  caused  the  stoutest  hearts  to 
quaU,  There,  leading  from  the  gorge,  was  the  plat- 
form of  which  the  guide  had  spoken.  It  was  sup- 
ported by  rafters,  which  stood  out  some  six  feet  from 
the  rock,  a  mere  shelf,  without  edge  or  railing,  at 
least  five  hundred  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea, 
which  the  mountain  skirted. 


262  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

"  It  would  be  death  to  cross  with  these  animals ; 
we  must  turn  back  and  make  the  detour^''  said  the 
guide. 

"  Open  thy  ears.  "We  dare  not,  O  noble  Nicholas," 
said  Chow !  "  for  the  wolves  are  upon  us." 

"  Omvard,  my  brother,  for  there  are  sounds  of 
more  terrible  beasts  than  wolves.  Let  us  trust  our- 
selves in  the  hands  of  Providence,"  said  the  princess. 

Seeing  the  knees  of  the  guide  knocking  together 
with  fear,  Nicholas  said,  "  Get  thee  to  the  rear,  and 
follow  the  mule,  thou  coward  ;"  then,  dismounting,  he 
caught  hold  of  the  reins  in  the  nostrils  of  the  camels 
and  averting  his  eyes  from  the  chasm  beneath,  led  the 
sure-footed  beast  along  the  platform.  They  had  reached 
midway,  when  the  wolves,  with  a  howling  concert, 
made  their  appearance  at  the  commencement  of  the 
platform ;  and  as  Chow,  who  brought  up  the  rear,  led 
the  mule,  he  felt  the  animal  tremble,  and  fearing  that 
if  the  wHd  brutes  ventured  across  the  platform  the 
terrified  beasts  would  be  the  means  of  precipitating 
the  whole  party  into  the  abyss,  he  trembled  with 
anxiety.  It  was  a  fearful  situation,  but  the  brave 
youth  retaining  his  presence  of  mind,  crept  to  the 
flanks  of  the  mule,  and  only  in  time,  for  one  of  the 
wolves  who  had  ventured  along  the  platform,  follow- 
ed by  the  pack,  received  an  arrow  in  his  brain,  and 
as  he  rolled  over  into  the  abyss  beneath,  its  com- 
panions stood  with  their  fore  feet  stretched  for- 
ward, and  their  ears  bent,  as  if  astonished,  when 
another  arrow  flew  among  them,  but  so  intent 
had  Chow  become  in  this  fight,  that   he  was  un- 


AN   OVERLAND  JOURNEY.        263 

conscious  that  the  progress  of  the  rest  of  the  party- 
had  been  stopped  midway.  For  the  cause  of  this  we 
must  return  to  Nicholas;  who,  as  he  led  the  camel, 
to  his  horror,  saw  issuing  from  a  fissure  in  the  rock 
the  head  of  a  serpent  of  the  most  venoraus  kind.  He 
fixed  an  arrow  in  his  bow,  but  a  moment's  thought, 
and  he  dared  not  fire,  for  should  he  miss  the  reptile 
it  would  be  upon  them  instantly.  What  should  he 
do  ?  His  sword — yes — he  drew  it ;  but  then  he  dared 
not  leave  the  camel's  head,  and  he  called  to  Chow, 
little  thinking  that  he  was  in  a  more  terrible  position 
than  himself. 

"  Let  fly  thy  arrow,  my  brother ;  should  you  miss, 
here  is  my  bow,"  said  the  princess,  leaning  forward. 

Still  Nicholas  would  not  move.  The  situation  was 
fearful ;  the  wolves  on  one  side,  the  deadly  serpent 
on  the  other ;  indeed  words  are  wanting  to  paint  the 
dread  anxiety  and  terror  of  all,  even  the  animals 
who  stood  transfixed,  with  their  hearts  beating  against 
their  sides  in  the  agony  of  fear. 


264:  THE  WAR  TIQEB. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

SAVED    BY   A    MUSK-DEER. STORIES     OP    WONDEBFOl 

MOUNTAINS. 

Relief  came,  but  so  imperceptibly  that  it  stole 
over  them.  A  perfume  so  strong  filled  the  air  that 
the  animals  coughed,  the  great  snake  writhed,  and 
approached  nearer  to  them;  they  were  lost;  no,  the 
perfume  had  entered  the  nostrils  of  the  reptile ;  its 
movement  was  languid,  another  second,  and  their  de- 
liverer appeared.  It  was  a  musk-deer,  or  roe-buck, 
who  had  pursued  the  serpent  till  it  had  lost  it  in  the 
fissure  for  a  few  minutes  only,  when,  recovering  its 
trail,  the  deer  had  pursued  it  to  the  platform,  where, 
with  one  grip  at  its  neck,  it  killed  it,  when,  startled 
at  the  cavalcade,  it  retraced  its  steps,  not  at  all  to  the 
regret  of  Nicholas,  for,  valuable  as  the  musk  animal 
was,  his  gratitude  was  too  great  to  have  killed  it. 
Having  crossed  the  platform,  Nicholas  saw  the  pre- 
dicament of  Chow,  who  was  still  employed  in  keep- 
ing the  wolves  at  bay.  He  had  fired  many  arrows, 
yet  had  killed  but  three,  while  others  sat  crouching, 
as  if  neither  liking  to  recede  or  advance,  waiting,  in 
fact,  for  the  boy's  back  to  be  turned,  before  they 
made  an  attack ;  so  keeping  poor  Chow  in  one  terri- 
ble position,  not  daring  to  turn  his  back  or  to  fire  hia 


SAVED   BY  A   MUSK-DEER  265 

last  remaining  arrow,  for  fear  that  it  should  miss. 
The  tables,  however,  were  tm-ned,  when  Nicholas, 
followed  by  the  guide,  both  with  fixed  bows,  came  to 
his  rescue ;  one  flight  more  from  the  three  bows,  and 
the  now  terrified  beasts  scampered  off,  when  Chow 
returned  to  the  other  side  of  the  platform  with  Nich- 
olas, and  the  whole  party  offered  up  thanks  to  Heaven 
for  their  miraculous  preservation. 

It  is  in  the  mountains  of  Pe-tche-Lee  that  the  musk- 
deer  is  generally  found  by  hunters,  who  find  a  good 
market,  not  only  for  the  musk,  but  the  body,  which 
is  in  great  esteem ;  and  that  I  may  account  to  you  in 
a  reasonable  manner  for  the  providential  escape  of  the 
travelers,  I  must  tell  you  that  the  flesh  of  serpents  is 
the  favorite  and  most  common  food  of  this  roe-buck, 
who  kills  them  with  ease,  however  large  or  numer- 
ous ;  for  no  sooner  does  he  come  near  than  the  ser- 
pent becomes  overpowered  with  the  scent  of  the  musk; 
and  so  well  is  this  fact  known  to  the  mountaineers, 
that  when  they  go  to  cut  wood  or  make  charcoal  in 
the  mountains,  they  carry  about  their  persons  a  few 
grains  of  this  musk,  and  rest  and  sleep  without  fear 
from  the  venomous  snakes,  which  might  otherwise 
destroy  them. 

The  travelers  resumed  their  journey,  and  continued 
till  it  became  dark,  when  they  pitched  their  tents 
upon  an  open  plain,  hghted  a  circle  of  fire  around 
their  encampment,  and  remained  for  the  night ;  so, 
for  at  least  three  months,  they  continued  this  tedious 
journey,  keeping  within  a  few  miles  of  the  sea-coast, 
through  mountains,  plains  and  forests,  till  they  reach- 


266  THE  WAE  TIGER, 

ed  a  small  village,  at  tlie  base  of  the  mouutain  chain 
of  Lao-yang,  where  they  were  once  more  enabled 
to  rest  beneath  the  roof  of  a  house,  without  fear 
of  traitors,  fbr  Lao-yang  was  the  head-quarters  of 
the  governor  and  general  of  the  province,  Woo- 
san-Kwei. 

As  they  were  passing  the  ridges  of  these  moun- 
tains, the  guide  kept  his  eyes  fixed  upon  their  green 
sides,  as  if  in  deep  thought.  "Surely  my  brother 
can  see  nothing  wonderful  in  these  tree-growing 
hills,"  said  Chow. 

Thy  mean  servant  was  dreaming  of  his  native 
province,  of  which  these  moimtains  reminded  him, 
although  compared  with  those  of  my  native  Chen-si 
they  are  dirt  heaps." 

"  The  mountains  of  my  brother's  province  of  Chen- 
si  are  doubtless  great,  but  they  are  mole-hills  to 
those  of  Folden,  where  thy  unworthy  brother  was 
born,"  said  Chow. 

"Why,  what  words  are  these?  Does  not  the 
whole  world  know  that  Chen-si  has  a  mountain  of  the 
shape  of  a  cock,  and  which  sometimes  crows  so  loud 
that  it  may  be  heard  for  ten  miles  ?" 

"  Fokien  has  a  mountain  which  is  so  high  that  its 
summit  can  not  be  seen,  and  foretells  storms  by  mov- 
ing its  great  body  to  and  fro  like  a  tree  with  the 
wind." 

"  It  is  a  dirt-hill  compared  to  another  in  Chen-si, 
that  at  the  sound  of  a  drum  breathes  forth  fire  and 
flame." 

"  Kat's  flesh  I  thy  mountain  is  nothing  to  the  good 


SAVED  BY  A   MUSK-DEER.  26T 

hill  of  Fokien,  which  makes  thieves  so  giddy  when 
they  gaze  upon  it,  that  they  drop  down  their  plunder 
and  run  for  their  lives,"  said  Chow. 

"  That  may  be  useful,  my  brother,  but  how  can  its 
qualities  be  compared  to  another  of  my  mountains, 
which  has  the  power  of  conferring  immortality  upon 
all  who  live  thereon  ?"  replied  the  guide. 

'•  It  is  even  of  doubtful  merit  compared  to  the 
mountain  of  Fokien,  which  has  grown  into  the  exact 
shape  of  the  god  Fo,  and  is  so  large  that  its  eyes  are 
three  miles  round,  and  its  nose  ten  miles  long."  The 
guide  having  no  other  on  his  list,  turned  sulkily  aside, 
and  so  ended  this  conversation,  which,  I  may  tell 
you,  did'  not  spring  from  the  imaginations  of  either, 
for  the  assertions  on  both  sides  are  accredited  by  the 
people  of  China. 

Dehghted  at  the  probabihty  of  their  being  near 
the  end  of  their  journey,  and  as  much  so  at  the 
prospect  of  a  few  days'  rest,  you  may  imagine  the 
dismay  of  the  party  at  being  awakened  early  the 
next  morning  by  a  great  tumult.  What  could  it 
mean  ?  They  were  not  long  in  doubt,  for  the  master 
of  the  inn  came  to  them  with  tears  in  his  eyes. 
"Arise,  O  worthy  strangers,  this  is  an  unfortunate 
day  for  us  all;  the  thieves,  the  rats  of  the  ocean 
have  landed,"  said  he. 

"  "What  words  are  these,  O  worthy  friend  ?"  said 
Nicholas,  jumping  to  his  feet. 

"  The  Emperor  Li  is  marching  a  great  army  to  be- 
seige  Lao-yang,  where  the  great  Woo-san-Kwei  ia 
encamped  j  but  far  worse,  the  sea  wasps  have  landed 


268  THE  "WAR  TIGER. 

within  a  day's  journey,  and  are  scouring  the  country, 
joined  by  the  rogues  and  thieves  of  the  province, 
and  the  people  are  flying  with  what  goods  they  can 
collect  to  the  places  of  refuge;  if  the  noble  stranger 
is  wise  he  will  follow,"  said  the  man,  leaving  the 
room  to  make  preparation  for  the  departure  of  him- 
self and  family. 

Of  the  places  of  refuge,  of  which  the  man  spoke, 
there  were  many  in  the  province  of  Leao-tong.  Some 
were  in  the  open  plains,  encompassed  by  strong  walls, 
and  entrenched  ditches  of  great  depth ;  others  were 
erected  upon  the  summits  of  mountain  crags,  and 
approachable  only  by  great  ladders,  or  secret  steps 
in  the  rock. 

Fearing  for  the  safety  of  the  princess,  Nicholas  lost 
no  time  in  securing  the  aid  of  the  innkeeper,  who, 
for  a  handsome  present,  and  in  compassion  for  the 
ladies,  offered  to  secure  them  a  safe  asylum.  So  when 
the  greater  portion  of  the  terrified  inhabitants  of  the 
terrified  inhabitants  of  the  little  hamlet  had  fled  to 
their  different  places  of  refuge,  taking  with  them  the 
bulk  of  their  property,  the  innkeeper,  placing  his 
wife  and  daughter  in  a  cart,  led  the  way  through  a 
defile  of  the  mountain,  and  many  times  was  he  stop- 
ped by  his  flying  neighbors,  who  implored  of  him  to 
seek  a  safer  place  than  the  open  mountains,  where  the 
rogues  could  so  easily  follow.  Keeping  steadily 
along  the  ridge,  while  they  were  in  sight,  the  last 
had  no  sooner  disappeared  than  he  turned  through  a 
great  cleft,  just  large  enough  for  the  cart  and  camel 
to  pass,  when,  pointing  to  a  crag  which  hung  over 


SAVED   BY  A   MCSK-DEER.  269 

the  summit,  at  a  great  height,  he  said,  "  The  rogues 
will  not  reach  us  there." 

"  Are  we  birds,  that  we  can  fly  ?"  said  Chow,  with 
astonishment. 

When  they  had  proceeded  some  distance  through 
the  opening,  they  came  to  another  and  narrower  cleft, 
cut  out  of  its  sides,  to  pass  through  which  they  were 
compelled  to  unharness  the  mules  and  camel,  when 
they  entered  a  wide,  open  space,  hke  a  courtyard. 

"Even  now  we  want  wings,  my  brother,"  said 
Chow,  shuddering,  as  he  gazed  upward  at  the  great 
height. 

"  Our  wings  are  here,"  said  the  man,  turning  aside 
what  appeared  to  be  a  huge  block  of  rock,  but  was 
only  an  ingenious  imitation,  when  before  them  they 
was  a  flight  of  steps,  steep,  and  so  narrow,  that  they 
looked  as  if  the  ascent  would  squeeze  a  fat  man  a 
^  foot  taller. 

However,  pleased  at  the  discovery  of  such  a  place 
of  refuge,  they  did  not  stop  to  examine  it,  but  passed 
onward;  the  princess  fii-st,  and  the  other  women 
followed  by  the  men,  who  carried  articles  of  food, 
fuel,  or  raiment  with  them.  Having  reached  the  up- 
permost step,  they  crept  through  a  hole  large  enough 
only  for  one  person,  and  found  themselves  in  one 
large  room,  the  roof  of  which  was  indeed  the  summit 
of  the  rock.  In  the  walls  were  small  loopholes,  from 
which  could  be  seen  many  miles  of  country ;  there 
was  also  a  large  space  in  one  side  for  a  fire,  which 
was  immediately  made  use  of  by  Chow,  who  had  car- 
ried  the  fuel.    Then  the  guide  was  sent  to  fetch  other 


270  THE   WAR   TIGER. 

matters,  after  which  they  all  sat  down  upon  their 
mats,  and  partook  of  hot  tea  and  rice  cakes. 

"  Truly  this  is  a  wonderful  place,"  said  ISTicholas, 
who,  although  he  knew  that  places  of  refuge  were 
common  in  all  the  frontier  provinces,  had  no  notion 
of  their  real  strength  and  security. 

"  See,"  said  the  man,  pointing  to  some  huge  stones 
near  the  entrance,  and  some  heavy  bars  of  iron  hang- 
ing upon  the  walls,  "  should  the  dogs  discover  our 
retreat,  they  may  be  crushed  as  small  as  tea-dust." 

"  Truly  they  could  but  starve  us  out." 

"  Not  so,  noble  youth,"  said  the  man  pointing  to  a 
massive  slab  of  rock ;  and  adding,  "  This  is  a  door 
and  leads  to  another  part  of  the  mountain." 

"  Truly  our  ancestors  were  wise." 

"Necessity  made  them  so,  O  youth ;  for  two  thou- 
sand years  this  border  province  has  been  invaded  at 
intervals  by  the  Tartar  barbarians."  • 

When  night  came  on,  the  men  of  the  party  de- 
scended to  the  cavern  beneath,  the  women  kept  to 
the  turret,  and  were  rocked  to  sleep  by  the  roaring 
wind,  which  brought  to  them  the  flame,  smoke,  and 
sparks,  from  below.  They,  however,  were  secure, 
although  the  enraged  rogues  had  made  a  bonfij'e  of 
their  village — and  they  slept. 


TREACHERY   OF   THE   GUIDE.  271 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

TREACHERY    OF    THE    OinDE. — THE    PRINCESS    SEIZED 

BY  EOBBEES. 

After  a  sojourn  of  three  days  in  this  hiding-place 
their  provisions  grew  short ;  moreover,  it  was  proba- 
ble that  the  enemy  had  left  the  village,  if,  indeed, 
they  had  not  taken  their  departure  upon  the  first 
day ;  therefore,  it  was  arranged  that  one  of  the  party 
should  proceed  upon  a  tour  of  observation,  and  as 
the  guide  not  only  volunteered,  but  from  his  profes- 
sion seemed  to  be  the  most  fitting  person,  he  was 
sent.  After  an  absence  of  some  hours,  he  brought 
them  the  information  that  not  only  had  the  enemy 
left  the  neighborhood,  but  there  was  plenty  of  game 
at  hand,  the  great  proof  of  which  was  the  carcass  of 
a  yellow  goat  that  he  carried  across  his  shoulders ; 
and  so  joyful  was  Nicholas  at  the  news,  that  he  pro- 
posed their  immediate  departure. 

"  It  would  not  be  wise,  O  my  young  friend,  for 
these  thieves  are  artful,  and  may  be  only  lurking  nea 
till  they  can  pounce  upon  us  like  tigers ;  said  the  inn 
keeper. 

"  This  advice  being  reasonable,  and,  fearing  more 
for  the  princess  than  himself,  Nicholas  readily  agreed 


272  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

to  remain  for  a  few  more  days ;  but  then,  tired  of 
confinement,  and  knowing  that  one  small  kid  would 
be  insufficient,  he  took  his  bow  in  his  hands,  saying, 
"Leave  not  this  place,  O  Chow,  till  I  return." 

"  This  may  not  be,  O  my  master,  for  while  here, 
there  are  two  men,  and  a  strong  room  to  protect  the 
ladies ;  among  the  hills  it  will  be  as  much  as  two 
can  do  to  protect  each  other  from  stroUing  thieves," 
said  Chow ;  which  reasonable  view,  being  supported 
by  the  princess  and  the  innkeeper,  Nicholas  was 
compelled,  although  against  his  will,  to  comply  with ; 
and  so  the  two  youths  started  off  in  company. 

Along  mountain  ridges,  through  valleys,  and  up 
steep  crags,  they  toiled  for  some  hours  without  meet- 
ing man  or  beast.  At  length,  however,  as  they 
crossed  a  small  hill  covered  with  trees  there  was  a 
rustling  among  the  underwood,  and  they  heard  the 
grunt  of  some  animal.  "It  is  a  boar,  prepare  thy 
bow,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  No,  no,  master,  no ;  he  is  running  from  us,"  said 
Chow,  who  was  upon  higher  ground  and  could  see 
better.  "  See,"  he  added,  as  Nicholas  came  by  his 
side,  "  he  is  sniffing  something  good ;  what  can  it 
be  ?"  For  a  minute  they  watched  the  animal,  who 
was  quietly  sniffing  the  ground  near  a  smaU  opening 
of  the  mountain.  "  See,  he  seeks  the  entrance,  we 
must  not  lose  him,"  said  Nicholas ;  and  in  another 
minute  the  boar  fell  over  with  an  arrow  in  his  side 
when,  drawing  his  sword,  Nicholas  ran  up  to  it.  The 
animal,  however,  was  too  quick,  for  instead  of 
being  unduly  alarmed  at  the  sudden  attack,  like 


TEEACHERY  OF  THE  GUIDE.       273 

a  sensible  beast,  he  had,  with  his  teeth,  phicked 
the  arrow  from  his  body ;  an  operation  he  effected  so 
quickly,  that  before  Nicholas  could  stop,  the  boar 
met  him  half-way,  tripped  him  over,  and,  placing  his 
huge  paws  upon  the  boy's  face,  would  speedily  have 
killed  him,  but  for  another  arrow  which  Chow  had 
sent  through  the  brute's  thick  neck. 

"That  was  a  good  aim,  my  brave  Chow,"  said 
Nicholas,  as  he  arose,  and  passed  his  sword  through 
the  beast. 

"The  obstinacy  of  thy  servant  in  coming  with 
thee  was  good,  O  noble  Nicholas." 

"Thou  shalt  be  rewarded  with  a  leg,  at  least," 
said  Nicholas. 

"  Thus  satisfied  with  their  foraging  expedition, 
they  carried  the  animal  between  them  till  they  came 
within  a  short  distance  of  the  refuge,  when  they 
stopped  to  rest ;  but,  starting  suddenly  Chow  said, 
"  Let  us  listen ;"  and  both  put  their  ears  to  the 
ground.  "  Surely,  it  is  plain,  it  is  the  trampling  of  a 
large  party  of  horse,"  replied  Nicholas,  rising  to  his 
feet  and  running  up  a  steep  hill,  "  stUl  there  is  no- 
thing to  be  seen,  no  living  being — yet,"  he  added, 
"  it  was  the  trampling  of  horses." 

"  It  can  not  be  otherwise,"  said  Chow. 

"Let  us  haste,  then,  O  Chow!"  and  leaving  tho 
carcass  of  the  boar  upon  the  ground,  they  ran  till 
they  reached  the  cavern.  The  camel  and  mules  were 
gone — their  worst  fear-s  w;ere  confirmed;  and  Nicholas 
ascended  the  stairs,  followed  by  Chow,  entered  the 
room,  when  involuntarily  placing  his  hand  upon  hia 
18 


274  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

forehead,  as  if  to  assist  his  astonished  vision,  he  gave 
a  scream  of  horror. 

As  for  CIiow,  for  a  rainvite  his  astonishment  de- 
prived him  of  speech  ;  then,  falling  upon  his  face,  he 
exclaimed,  "  My  beloved  mother !" 

Well  might  they  be  horrified,  for  the  princess  and 
her  attendant  were  absent ;  the  innkeeper,  his  wife 
and  daughter,  and  the  guide,  were  bound  Avith  cords 
and  gagged,  so  that  they  could  neither  move  nor  speak. 

While  Nicholas  released  the  innkeeper,  Chow  per- 
formed a  like  office  for  the  women,  when  they  all  fell 
upon  the  guide,  thumping  him  with  their  fists,  kick- 
ing him  with  their  feet,  and  exclaiming,  "  Thou  rat, 
thou  snake,  thou  shalt  be  strangled,"  As  for  the 
miserable  fellow,  with  his  limbs  bound  and  his  mouth 
gagged,  he  could  do  nothing  but  roll  his  eyes  at  them. 
Then  being  released  by  Nicholas,  he  would  have  got 
upon  his  legs  but  for  Chow,  who  threw  him  upon  his 
back,  and,  stamping  his  foot  upon  his  breast,  cried, 
"  Lie  there,  thou  dog,  for  thou  art  the  villain." 

"  It  is  not  so.  Chow,  or  he  would  not  himself  be  so 
bound  and  gagged,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  Nevertheless,  he  is  the  traitor ;  he  it  was  who 
brought  the  soldiers  upon  us,  who  discovered  our  re- 
treat," said  the  innkeeper,  giving  the  prostrate  rogue 
another  kick. 

"  Open  thy  lips,  thou  rascal ;  say  what  has  become 
of  the  two  ladies,  or  I  will  slay  thee,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  Speak,  thou  rogue,"  said  Chow,  almost  breathless 
with  anxiety. 

"  Truly  it  was  the  misfortune  and  not  the  crime  of 


TREACHERY   OF   THE   GUIDE.  275 

tliy  servant;  for  had  he  not  been  chosen  as  thy  guide, 
this  thing  could  not  have  happened,"  replied  the 
trembhng  fellow. 

"  Open  thy  lips  to  a  purpose,  thou  rogue ;  give  me  a 
clue  to  the  track  of  these  robbers,  and  thy  life  shall 
be  spared,"  said  Nicholas,  more  anxious  to  rescue  the 
princess  than  to  punish  the  guide,  who,  gaining 
courage  from  the  proinise,  said,  "  Truly,  then,  the 
princess  is  on  her  way  to  the  camp  of  the  Emperor." 

This  was  too  much  for  Nicholas,  who  fell  upon 
the  man,  and  would  have  killed  him,  but  for  Chow, 
who,  in  his  turn,  becoming  more  calm,  said,  "  Let 
the  rogue  earn  his  life  by  enabling  us  to  follow  these 
thieving  rats." 

Perceiving  the  wisdom  of  this,  Nicholas  removed 
his  hand  from  the  throat  of  the  rogue,  who  said, 
"  Truly  this  is  a  heavy  misfortune  ;  for  till  thy  ser- 
vant left  this  place,  he  intended  no  mischief,  when  in 
the  moimtains  he  met  with  a  party  of  soldiers,  who 
have  been  pursuing  us  aU  the  way  from  Kin-Chow 
for  the  pui-pose  of  earning  the  reward  offered  for  the 
princess." 

"  How  is  this  possible,  thou  rogue  ?"  said  Nicholas. 

"  On  the  day  of  the  festival,  these  soldiers  landed 
on  their  way  to  gather  troops  for  the  service  of  the 
Emperor  Li,  whom  they  were  ordered  to  join  on  the 
borders  of  the  pro^'ince ;  on  the  same  day  that  thy 
outrage  upon  the  person  of  my  uncle,  the  innkeeper 
of  Kin-Chow,  was  discovered,  and  the  venerable  man 
in  his  indignation  told  the  soldiers  that  the  princess, 
for  whom  so  large  a  reward  was  offered,  was  on  the 


270  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

road  to  Lao-yang,  accompanied  by  a  woman,  two 
youths,  and  his  nephew,  who  might  be  known  by  the 
name  of  Leang,  and  who  would,  doubtless,  \\'hen  he 
heard  of  the  affront  put  upon  his  uncle,  aid  in  cap- 
turing '  the  whole  party.  The  soldiers,  anxious  to 
obtain  the  reward,  pressed  forward  with  such  haste, 
that,  but  for  our  crossing  the  platform,  they  would 
have  overtaken  us,"  said  the  guide ;  adding,  "  And 
would  that  they  had,  for  then  thy  servant  would  have 
been  innocent." 

"  If  innocent,  then,  thou  rogue,  what  hath  since 
caused  thee  to  become  a  traitor,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  When  the  soldiers  informed  the  nephew  of  the 
affront  offered  to  his  venerable  uncle,  how  under 
heaven  and  the  social  laws  could  he  refuse  to  aid  in 
the  punishment  of  such  offenders  ?" 

"  How  came  it,  O  thou  great  rogue,  that  the 
soldiers  should  repay  thy  great  services  with  so 
much  ingratitude  ?" 

"  Truly  thy  mean  servant  is  not  a  god,  that  he  can 
foresee  the  ingratitude  of  mankind." 

"  These  are  dog's  words,  O  noble  youth,"  said  the 
innkeeper ;  adding,  "  This  fellow  had  promised  the 
thieves  to  keep  thee  under  some  pretence  till  they 
came  up,  when  they  intended  to  have  sold  thee  as  a 
slave ;  and  findmg  that  they  had  missed  a  portion  of 
their  expected  prize,  partly  in  their  rage,  and  partly 
that  the  rogue  should  not  claim  a  portion  of  the  re- 
ward, they  first  beat  and  then  left  him  as  you  found 
him,  not  doubting  that  upon  your  return  you  would 
kill  so  false  a  rascal." 


TREACHERY    OF   THE    GUIDE.  277 

"  Shall  we  not  kill  the  traitor,  who  has  stolen  my 
beloved  mother  and  the  princess  ?"  said  Chow,  very 
fiercely. 

"  Truly  we  will  do  better — make  him  useful,"  said 
Nicholas;  adding,  " Is  the  rogue  certain  that  these 
soldiers  have  proceeded  to  Lao-yang?" 

"  It  must  be  so,  for  it  is  to  that  city  the  Emperor 
Li  is  marching  to  besiege  the  rebel  Woo-san-Kwei," 
said  the  guide. 

"  Thou  rascal,  to  call  so  great  a  thief  an  emperor, 
and  so  great  a  general  a  rebel,"  said  Chow,  menacing 
him  with  his  fist ;  adding,  as  he  again  bound  his 
arms  to  his  side,  "  Thou  shalt  at  least  be  in  safe  keep- 
ing till  either  the  princess  be  discovered,  or  thy  day 
arrives  to  be  strangled." 

The  excitement  past,  then  came  despair.  The 
soldiers  had  stolen  the  mules  and  camel ;  it  was,  there- 
fore, useless  to  attempt  to  overtake  them,  even  if 
their  numbers  had  been  sufficiently  large.  What  was 
to  be  done  ?  and  they  both  sat  with  their  heads  upon 
their  hands.  Nothing!  At  length  Nicholas  said, 
"  Bring  the  rogue  with  us,  we  will  seek  the  General 
Woo-san-Kwei." 

"  The  roads  are  dangerous,  and  may  be  filled  with 
rebels,"  said  the  innkeeper. 

"  Then  must  we  fight  our  way  through  the  ver- 
min," said  Nicholas. 

"This  rogue  shall  go  before  and  get  the  first 
Bword  in  his  wretched  body,"  said  Chow,  jerking  the 
rope  by  which  he  held  the  guide,  whose  teeth  chat- 
tered together  with  terror  at  the  notion. 


278  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

Then  telling  the  innkeeper  where  to  find  the  dead 
boar,  Nicholas  bade  hiin  and  his  family  farewell. 

"May  the  great  Tien  aid  thee!"  said  the  woman. 

"  Leave  us  thy  name,  O  noble  youth,  that  it  may 
be  marked  on  the  memories  of  our  descendants,"  said 
the  innkeeper. 

Nicholas  took  the  man  aside,  and  whispered  in 
his  ear. 

"It  is  a  terrible  name,"  said  the  man,  bowing  his 
head  to  the  ground. 

"  It  is  a  good  one,  and  the  son  will  restore  thee 
thy  village,  O  worthy  man,  if  the  rebels  take  not  his 
life,"  said  Nicholas. 

"The  princess,  the  princess,  and  my  beloved 
mother,"  exclaimed  Chow. 

"Ai'e  protected  by  Heaven  till  we  rescue  them 
from  the  hands  of  the  villain  Li,"  said  Nicholas,  and 
they  proceeded  on  their  journey 


iL 


ONCE   MOKE   FRISONEES.  279 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 


:JSCK    more    prisoners,    but    with     friends — TttB 

guide's  mistake. 


With  sorrowful  hearts  the  two  boys  took  leave  of 
he  houseless  family,  and  proceeded  along  the  ridges 
i)f  the  mountains  till  they  came  to  the  entrance  of  a 
great  wood.  Chow  had  custody  of  the  guide,  whom 
he  held  by  the  rope,  and  pressed  forward  or  jerked 
backward,  as  his  sense  of  indignation  at  the  loss  of 
his  mother  arose  or  subsided.  At  times  he  would  so 
slacken  the  rope  that  the  man  could  scarcely  feel  his 
thraldom ;  then  again,  when  he  thought  of  the  hope- 
lessness of  again  recovering  his  mother,  he  would 
clench  his  teeth  and  pull  it  so  violently,  that  the  mis- 
erable guide  would  fall  backward  ;  whereupon  Chow 
would  say,  "  Get  thee  upon  thy  bamboo  legs,  thou 
rogue,  or  I  will  drag  thee  like  a  bale  of  demon's 
goods,  as  thou  art;"  and  the  fat  body  of  the  coward 
would  shake  like  a  blanc-mange,  rise  upon  its  legs, 
and  commence  a  trot,  when,  after  a  little  while.  Chow 
would  give  another  tug  at  the  rope,  saying,  as  the 
man  tottered  backward,  "O,  thou  wouldst  escape, 
wouldst  thou,  thou  mouse. of  fat  measure,  who  hath 
stolen  the  cream  of  our  lives  ?" 

"Truly  thy  servant  has  been  unfortunate,  O  noble 


USO  THE  WAR  TIGER. 

youth,  yet  if  his  body  is  shaken  like  a  jelly  of  cold 
soup,  he  cannot  guide  thee  thi'ough  this  city  of  trees." 

"  The  rogue's  words  are  good.  Chow,  we  cannot 
find  our  way  tlirough  these  trees  without  his  aid,"  said 
Nicholas ;  adding,  "  Fasten  the  rope  around  thy  arm, 
go  that  he  cannot  slip  from  thy  hands." 

"  Truly  the  advice  of  my  master  is  good,"  said 
Chow;  and  as  they  were  then  passing  through  a 
thick  copse,  he  fastened  the  rope  around  his  own 
body,  saying,  "Now,  thou  rat,  honesty  will  for  once 
reverse  things,  and  take  its  place  behind  roguery,  for 
surely  I  hear  footsteps,  and  should  they  be  those  of 
thieves,  thy  thick  head  may  serve  to  blunt  the  points 
of  their  arrows." 

The  sounds  were  unmistakable,  and  the  guide  fell 
backward,  trembling  so  violently  that  he  could  not 
walk,  till,  taking  hold  of  his  shoulders,  Chow  pushed 
him  forward,  saying,  "  On,  thou  coward,  on ;"  and  so 
they  went  along  the  narrow  path,  tUl  the  sounds  be- 
came more  distinct.  Then  a  voice  shouted  to  them, 
"stop!"  when,  trembling  more  than  ever,  the  guide 
threw  one  shoulder  backward,  and  one  foot  forward, 
in  order  to  prop  himself  against  the  propelling  Chow, 
at  the  same  time  exclaiming,  "  Stay,  O  generous 
youth, — for  the  love  of  Fo,  stay! — or  the  body  of 
thy  servant  will  become  a  cushion  for  arrow-heads." 

"  Silence,  thou  dog,"  said  Nicholas ;  adding  in  a 
whisper  to  Chow,  "  Let  us  remain  q^uiet,  for  doubt- 
less it  is  some  thief." 

Then  came  the  twang  of  a  bow,  and  an  arrow  flew 
by,  in  its  flight  clipping   the   ear  of  the  miserable 


ONCE   MORE   PEISONERS.  281 

guide,  who,  now  fairly  friglitened  out  of  his  senses, 
twisted  round  like  a  teetotum,*  and  fell  upon  the 
ground,  carrying  Chow  with  him,  exclaiming,  "These 
are  the  thieves,  these  are  the  thieves,  O  honorable 
war  tiger." 

And  before  Chow  had  disengaged  himself  froiD 
the  rogue,  they  were  all  three  dragged  into  an  open 
glade,  where  they  found  themselves  surrounded  by  a 
party  of  cavalry,  the  guide  upon  the  ground  tremb- 
ling, and  Nicholas  and  Chow  with  theu"  arms  folded 
defiantly. 

"  Who  are  the  dogs  ?  what  their  names,  surnames, 
and  rank?"  said  the  officer. 

"  Travelers  who  have  no  fear  of  rebel  rogues," 
replied  Nicholas  dauntlessly,  believing  them  to  be 
troops  of  Li-Kong. 

"Take  my  life,  but  save  that  of  my  venerable 
mother,"  said  Chow,  in  a  similar  belief. 

"These  rogues  are  robbers,  who  would  take  a 
faithful  and  valiant  subject  of  the  great  Emperor  Li- 
Kong  a  prisoner  to  the  town  of  the  thief  Woo-san- 
Kwei,"  said  the  guide,  jvunping  upon  his  feet,  with  a 
most  warhke  mien,  knowmg  that  if  with  the  soldier's 
of  Li-Kong  he  was  with  friends. 

"  What  means  the  slave  ?  Who  art  thou,  thou 
empty  rice  tub  ?"  said  the  officer. 

"  It  may  please  the  fierce  tiger  of  war  to  be  amus- 
ed at  the  person  of  his  servant ;  but  if  he  be  a  rice- 
tub,  he  can  serve  the  Emperor." 

"Emperor! — what  Emperor,  thou  ox?"  said  the 
officer. 


282  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

"  The  great  Li, — may  he  live  ten  thousand 
years." 

"  Tliy  name,  surname,  and  rank  ?"  said  the  officer. 

"The  mean  name  of  thy  insignificant  servant  is 
Leang,  and  he  is  the  unworthy  nephew  of  Ling,  tlie 
hmkeeper,  of  Kin-Chow,"  replied  the  guide,  not 
doubting  that  he  was  in  the  hands  of  rebel  troopers. 

"Then  truly,  Leang,  the  unworthy  nephew  of  Ling, 
is  a  dangerous  though  a  comical  rogue." 

"  The  noble  tiger  of  war  is  pleased " 

"  To  have  thee  strangled  with  thine  own  girdle  for 
being  a  follower  of  the  great  thief  Li-Kong,"  said 
the  officer ;  adding,  as  he  turned  to  his  soldiers, 
"Let  this  be  done." 

At  this  unexpected  result,  the  terribly  mistaken 
guide's  face  became  paler  and  longer,  and  falling 
upon  his  knees,  he  said,  "  Let  the  magnificent  com- 
mander be  generous  to  an  insignificant  and  withered 
mouse,  who  is  nothing  but  a  poor  and  faithful  guide, 
as  these  noble  vouths,  whom  he  hath  conducted  all 
the  way  from  Kin-Chow  to  the  town  of  the  great 
Woo-san-Kwei,  can  testify." 

"  Bend  thy  neck  at  the  name  of  the  great  prince, 
thou  rogue,"  said  the  officer,  striking  him  on  the 
back  with  his  sword,  and  the  guide  fell  flat — that  is, 
as  nearly  so  as  his  protuberant  stomach  would  per- 
mit— Avhen  the  officer  added  laughingly,  "  Truly  the 
animal  is  fat  enough  to  kill  at  once ;  yet,  as  the  rebels 
may  cause  us  a  siege  so  long  that  we  may  be  short 
of  provender  for  our  horses,  let  him  be  kept  in 
a  strong  cage  till  that  time  arrives  •"  then  beckoning 


ONCE   MORE   PRISONERS.  283 

to  a  soldier,  the  latter  seized  the  horrified  guide  and 
tied  him  before  him  on  his  saddle. 

Then  turning  to  Nicholas  and  Chow,  jvho,  notwith- 
standing their  serious  position,  had  been  laughing 
heartily  at  the  merited  misery  of  the  guide,  the 
officer  said,  "  Are  the  rogue's  words  truth  ?  Do  mv 
brothers  seek  the  presence  of  the  gi-eat  Woo-sau- 
Kwei  ?"  Then  when  Nicholas  had  related  to  the 
officer  the  whole  of  their  adventures  from  Kin- Chow) 
alone  prudentially  keeping  back  the  fact  that  the  lady 
of  high  rank  was  the  princess,  he  said,  "  What  were 
the  numbers  of  these  rogues  ?" 

"  There  could  have  been  no  less  than  twenty,  O 
noble  commander,"  said  Nicholas. 

Then  turning  to  his  second-in-command,  the  officer 
said,  "  Let  the  rogue  of  a  guide  be  kept  tied  before 
thee  on  thy  saddle,  O  Ching ;  take  fifty  horsemen, 
and  return  not  to  the  camp  till  thou  bringest  these 
ladies  with  thee.  If  the  rogue  of  a  guide  directs  thee 
so  that  thou  art  successful,  he  shall  be  rewarded  ;  if 
not,  strangled." 

"  Will  not  the  noble  commander  let  these  horsemen 
be  placed  under  the  charge  of  his  younger  brother, 
yho  truly  hath  the  greater  right  to  bring  these 
rogues  to  punishment  ?"  said  Nicholas,  imploringly. 

"  This  may  not  be,  my  brother ;  for,  although  I 
doubt  not  thy  honesty,  it  would  be  at  the  risk  of  my 
life  that  I  let  thee  pass  from  my  sight  till  thou  hadst 
been  taken  before  the  prince." 

Although  vexed  that  the  chance  of  rescuing  the 
princess,  and  punishing  the  soldiers  who  had  made 


284  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

her  prisoner,  had  been  denied  to  him,  Nicholas  felt 
too  well  pleased  at  the  slightest  possibility  of  her 
being  rescued,  to  complain ;  and,  therefore,  without 
another  word,  the  boys  followed  the  troops  upon 
their  march  to  Lao-yang,  not  by  any  means  regrettuig 
that  they  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  this  foraging 
paily  of  Woo-san-Kwei's  army. 


INTERVIEW   WITH   THE   GENERAL;  285 


CHAPTER  XXXVn. 

OITERTIEW   WITH    THE    GENERAIi. NICHOLAS    CAFSK8 

SOLDIERS  TO  BE   SENT   IN  SEARCH    OF  THE  PRINCESS. 

Unlike  any  place  Nicholas  had  seen  since  he  left 
his  father's  fleet,  Lao-yang  exhibited  sure  signs  of 
the  determination  and  energy  of  its  commanders. 
Surrounded  by  a  deep  ditch  of  great  width,  its  formid- 
able "walls  were  manned  at  every  point  with  the 
picked  and  most  disciplined  men  from  the  northern 
provinces — soldiers  who  had  been  fighting  for  many 
years  against  the  invading  Tartars — and  armed  to  the 
teeth  with  swords,  cross-bows,  shields,  helmets,  and 
breast  and  back  plates.  At  short  distances  were 
planted  small  brass  cannon,  or  bombards,  which, 
although  they  had  been  set  aside  for  so  many  years 
that  the  art  of  using  them  had  become  forgotten,  Woo- 
san-Kwei  had  not  only  brought  again  into  use,  but 
taught  his  troops  to  serve  efiectually.  Then,  again, 
although  the  matchlock  men  were  fewer  than  upon 
the  walls  of  Pekin,  they  had  been  so  well  exercised  in 
the  use  of  that  weapon  that  they  could  handle  it 
nearly  as  well  as  bows  and  arrows, — a  great  mat- 
ter at  that  period,  as  you  will  understand  when  I  tel] 
you  that  some  few  years  previously,  when  matchlocks 
were   first  introduced,   to  defend    a  frontier  town 


286  .  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

against  the  Tartars,  the  latter  were  so  njuch  aston- 
ishcd  at  a  weapon  which  possessed  the  magic  power 
of  slaying  them  at  so  great  a  distance,  that  they  fled 
In  dismay,  when,  making  a  sortie,  or  onset,  the  Chi- 
nese destroyed  many  thousands.  The  next  assault, 
however,  the  Tartars  provided  their  front  ranks  with 
shields  of  wood,  so  large  and  thick,  that  they  were  as 
safe  from  bullets,  as  they  would  have  been  behind 
walls,  consequently  the  fire  of  the  Chinese  proved 
useless  ;  moreover,  before  they  could  reload,  the 
second  rank  of  the  Tartars  scaled  the  walls  and  feU 
upon  them  so  quickly,  that  even  those  who  had  time 
to  load  handled  their  pieces  so  clumsily  and  nervously 
that  the  rebound  knocked  them  over,  and  the  whole 
garrison  were  killed.  This  aifair  so  disgusted  the 
Chinese  with  the  matchlock,  that  henceforward  they 
kept  it  more  as  a  matter  of  show,  or  to  use  when  there 
was  no  chance  of  coming  to  close  quarters,  than  as  a 
regular  weapon  of  war. 

With  greater  foresight,  the  General  TToo-san- 
Kwei  had  not  only  re-adopted  the  weapon,  but,  by 
incessant  practice,  and  oiFerings  of  rewards  and  pro- 
motion to  those  who  exhibited  peculiar  dexterity, 
he  succeeded  in  forming  a  good  body  of  matchlock 
men. 

When  they  had  passed  through  the  gates,  the  oflS- 
cer  left  Nicholas  and  Chow  to  amuse  themselves  as 
best  they  might,  while  he  proceeded  to  report  the  ar- 
rival of  himself  and  his  prisoners  (for  in  that  light  he 
regarded  them)  to  the  prince  general. 

Had  Nicholas  entrusted  his  name,  or  that  of  ihti 


INTERVIEW   WITH   THE   GENERAL.  287 

princess,  to  the  officer,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that 
the  general  would  have  granted  him  an  immediate  in- 
terview; as  it  was,  he  had  to  wait  till  the  folio  wince 
day.     Previously,  however,  to  seeking  the  audience, 
lie  went  to  the  great  square,  where,  to  his  surprise, 
iie  saw  a  large  body  of  troops  drawn  out  under  arms, 
with  their  banners  and  wind  instruments,  as  if  to  re- 
ceive some  important  personage,  and  officers  were 
galloping  to  and  fro  between  the  palace  and  the  great 
gates.     The  meaning  of  all  this  puzzled  him.     Truly 
it  would  be  unfortunate  if  Woo-san-Kwei  should  be 
about  to  take  his  departure  upon  some  expedition. 
The  riddle,  was,  however,  soon  explained;  for,  even 
while  he  was   jjondering,  the  general's  own   body- 
guard passed  to  the  gate  ;  when,  drawing  themselves 
up  on  either  side,  a  noble-looking  horseman,  followed 
by  a  train  of  some  twenty  others,  rode  into  the  city, 
and  was  escorted  to  the  palace ;  but,  great  as  tliis 
personage  evidently  was,  the  Chinese  soldiers  kept  a 
dread  and  sullen  silence,  making  no  movement  ex- 
cept  to   involuntarily  clutch   the   triggers   of  their 
pieces,  or  the  strings  of  their  bows.     As  for  Nicholas, 
he  stared  with  astonishment,  grasped  the  hilt  of  his 
Gword — the    sight   was    indeed    extraordinary.      A 
Mantchou  prince  and  his  train  of  Tartars,  those  most 
Ireaded  enemies  of  the  empire,  within  the  very  pal- 
ace of  the  barbarian-subduing  general,  not  in  chains, 
but  as  a  friend,  received  with  honor. 

Indignant  at  the  sight,  Nicholas  rudely 'grasped 
the  arm  of  a  soldier,  saying,  "  Can  ray  brother  tell  a 
stranger  how  it  is  that  such  barbarian  thieves  ar« 


288 


THE    WAR   TIGER. 


within  these  walls  ?     Surely  the  kid  does  not  invite 
the  Avolf  to  its  own  bosom. !" 

"Would  my  brother  keep  his  head  upon  his 
shoulders  and  not  be  thrown  from  the  walls  like  a 
dead  rat,  he  will  not  seek  to  know  the  barbarian-ex 
lerminating  general's  secrets,"  said  the  surly  soldier; 
adding,  however,  directly  afterward,  "The  Tartar 
dogs  may  have  come  to  offer  their  submission." 

Whatever  might  have  been  the  business  of  the 
Tartar  prince  with  tlie  Chinese  general,  it  did  not  last 
an  hour,  for  in  less  than  that  time  he  left  the  city, 
and  shortly  after  the  officer  who  had  brought  Nicho- 
las into  the  town  conducted  him  to  the  presence  of 
the  general,  who,  in  full  military  costume,  surround- 
ed by  a  great  number  of  officers,  was  standing  (a  rare 
thing  for  a  Chinese  grandee)  at  a  table,  busily  en- 
gaged m  examining  some  papers. 

Ha\^ng  performed  the  same  ceremony  of  running 
up  the  middle  of  the  apartment,  and  bowing  to  the 
ground,  as  at  an  audience  of  the  Emperor,  he  awaited 
the  command  of  the  prince  to  rise,  which  being  given, 
Woo-san-Kwei  no  sooner  saw  his  features  than  he 
said,  "  This  is  indeed  a  fortunate  day,  that  brings  to 
us  the  son  of  Chin-Chi-Loong.  Thy  presence,  bold 
youth,  is  welcome ;  yet,"  he  added  sternly,  "  so  brave 
a  servant  should  have  died  defending  his  imperial 
master." 

"The  silken  voice  of  the  illustrious  general  is 
music  to  his  servant,  whose  words  must  not  fall  into 
the  ears  of  all,"  replied  Nicholas,  glancmg  at  the 
officers  around. 


INTERVIEW  WITH  THE   GENERAL.  289 

"  This  is  but  wisdom,  youth,"  rephed  the  prince, 
motioning  to  the  officers  to  withdraw  from  the  apart- 
ment, after  which  he  said,  "  Let  the  noble  youtli 
open  his  Hps  ;"  whereupon  Nicholas  gave  a  faithful 
recital  of  his  adventures  from  the  time  that  Woo-san 
Kwei  had  himself  left  Pekin  for  the  army.  During  the 
recital,  the  general  listened  attentively,  at  mtervals 
giving  vent  to  exclamations  of  surprise,  rage,  or  appro- 
val. When,  however,  Nicholas  related  the  escape  of 
the  princess,  he  said,  warmly,  "Noble  youth,  thy  wis- 
dom, like  thy  bravery,  is  beyond  thy  years ;  and  when 
these  rebel  dogs  have  been  swept  from  the  earth,  thou 
shalt  have  the  kingdom  that  thy  father  seeketh."  Then, 
when  the  enthusiasm  of  the  moment  had  passed,  be- 
thinking himself,  he  said,  "But  truly  the  servant  of 
the  Mings  forgets  his  duty  to  the  daughter  of  his 
murdered  Emperor ;  lead  me  to  her,  O  youth." 

Then  Nicholas,  for  the  first  tune  in  his  life,  trem- 
bled ;  an  arrow  through  his  heart  would  have  been 
more  welcome  than  that  command,  and  falling  upon 
his  knees,  as  if  he  had  betrayed  a  sacred  trust,  he 
said,  "  These  words  should  be  my  last,  O  general. 
The  prmcess  is  in  the  power  of  the  rebel  Li-Kong." 

So  like  a  thunder-clap  did  these  words  fall  upon  the 
mind  of  the  Woo-san-Kwei,  that  for  a  moment  he 
was  speechless,  but  recovering  himself,  he  said, 
"  Thou  dog,  if  these  words  are  true  thou  shalt  die  j" 
but  becoming  calmer,  he  commanded  Nicholas  to 
finish  his  story,  and  when  the  youth  had  brought  it 
up  to  the  moment  of  the  audience,  the  general  said, 
"Thou  art,  indeed,  a  brave  youth;  but  this  rogue 
19 


290  THE   WAR  TIGEK. 

Leang,  knows  he  the  road  the  woman  thieves  took?' 
Then,  however,  without  waiting  for  an  answer,  and 
knowing  that  action  was  more  likely  to  recover  the 
princess  and  her  attendant  than  useless  sorrow  or 
anger,  he  ordered  the  attendance  of  one  of  his  officers, 
telling  him  to  send  out  parties  of  soldiers  in  different 
directions  in  search  of  the  princess. 

Then  Nicholas  fell  upon  his  knees,  and  prayed  to 
lead  the  party  himself. 

"This  cannot  be,  brave  youth,  for  thou  art  too 
serviceable  to  have  thy  person  risked  in  a  province 
so  wild  that  no  stranger  can  journey  through  without 
a  guide." 

"Then,  O  illustrious  prince,  thy  servant  dares  not 
meet  the  heavenly  eyes  of  the  Prince  Yong-Li,  in 
whose  service  he  has  undertaken  this  long  journey," 
said  Nicholas. 

"  Truly  it  was  an  unfortunate  day  for  the  son  of 
"Woo  when  he  fell  under  the  displeasure  of  the  young 
Emperor,  his  royal  master,"  said  the  general, 
gloomily. 

"  Can  it  be  under  heaven  that  Tong  Li  has  forgot- 
ten the  great  services  of  his  most  illustrious  general  ?" 

"  Such  is  his  servant's  misfortune,"  said  the  general. 

"  Then,"  said  Nicholas,  "  let  thy  servant  seek  the 
f  oimg  Emperor,  and  upon  his  knees  pray  of  Mm  to 
open  his  heavenly  ears  to  the  fragrant  advice  of  the 
great  Woo-san-Kwei." 

"This  cannot  be,  for  his  majesty  {may  he  continue 
the  circle  of  succession)  has  left  Lao-yang  in  anger." 

"  This,  then,  is  indeed  an  unfortunate  day,  O  my 


INTERVIEW   WITH   THE   GE^'ERAL.  291 

general,"  said  Nicholas,  with  astonishment ;  adding, 
*'  Surely  the  cause  must  have  been  great  for  so  much 
anger  from  so  mild  a  prince." 

"  Let  the  noble  youth  open  his  ears,  and  he  shall 
hear  how  this  calamity  fell  out,"  said  the  general ; 
adding,  "  When  his  majesty,  after  the  death  of  h'u 
fatluir,  so  happily  escaped  the  hands  of  the  great 
thief  Li,  he  fled  to  the  army  of  his  servant,  and  desired 
that  the  whole  of  the  Tartar-subduing  ai-my  of  Leao- 
tong  should  be  immediately  led  to  Pekin  for  the  pur- 
pose of  destroying  the  rebels.  Alas !  the  grief  of  the 
prince  had  destroyed  his  reason;  the  plan  was  not 
possible,  for  in  my  absence  the  barbarians  would  have 
o^  errim  the  northern  province.  Well,  for  a  time  the 
prince  submitted  to  his  servant's  advice,  till  one  day 
an  envoy  ai-rived  from  the  dog  Li,  who  commanded 
me  to  proclaim  him  Emperor  throughout  the  prov- 
ince, offering,  as  the  price  of  my  obedience,  a  king- 
dom ;  threatening,  if  I  refused,  to  march  against  this 
city  with  a  million  of  men." 

"  The  illustrious  general  could  make  but  one  an- 
Bwer  to  so  infamous  a  proposal,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  And  that  was  to  offer  a  reward  of  ten  thousand 
taels  to  the  brave  man  who  should  lay  the  head  of  so 
black  a  dragon  at  my  feet,"  said  the  general ;  adding, 
"  Soon  after  came  the  news  that  Li  was  on  his 
march,  with  avast  army,  to  chastise  me  for  the  insult, 
and  I  began  to  prepare  to  receive  him  ;  but,  finding 
that  the  number  of  my  troops  was  so  small  that  the 
multitudinous  army  of  the  rebels  would  hew  them  to 
pieces  in  the  first  battle,  rather  than  suffer  such  a  dis- 


292  THE   WAR  TIGEK. 

grace,  and  permit  so  vile  a  criminal  to  remain  iinpui 
ished,  I  dared  to  propose  to  make  peace  with  the 
Tartar  king  conditionally,  that  he  would  help  m.e 
to  drive  this  rogue  from  the  hind.  This  proposition 
was  indignantly  resisted  by  the  prince,  when  (may  I 
be  pardoned  for  so  daring  an  act)  I  became  but  the 
more  resolved,  and  immediately  sent  a  special  envoy 
to  the  Tartar,  who,  in  return,  sent  by  his  brother,  the 
great  Amavan,  a  promise  to  add  to  my  little  army 
one  hundred  thousand  of  his  bravest  troops.  Scarce- 
ly, however,  had  a  day  elapsed  after  the  departure  of 
my  envoy  to  the  Tartar,  then  the  royal  Yong-Li  left 
the  city  in  anger." 

"  Truly,  general,  the  prince  was  wise,  for  although 
in  war  and  council  all  men  are  mice  by  the  side  of  thf 
great  Woo-san-Kwei,  surely  in  this  his  wisdom  must 
have  failed  him,  for,  O  general,  is  it  reasonable  to 
bring  in  tigers  to  chase  away  dogs  ?"  said  Nicholas, 
warmly. 

To  which  "Woo-san-Kwei  made  no  reply,  but  ter- 
minated  the  audience  to  keep  down  his  anger. 


i 


A  BATTLE. 


293 


CHAPTER  XXXYin. 

CKUEL     /»EATH     OF    THB     AGED     WOO. — A    BATTLE. — ■ 

BKAWRY     OP    THE     BOYS. CHOW    TAKEN    BY     THE 

ENEMV. 


With  terrible  anxiety,  Nicholas  awaited  the  re- 
turn of  the  party  sent  in  search  of  the  princess,  but 
when  evening  came  and  they  brought  not  the  slight- 
est clue,  his  grief  grew  beyond  all  bounds,  and  he  re- 
solved to  seek  the  general's  permission  to  go  himself 
in  search,  but,  as  on  the  following  day,  a  deserter 
from  the  enemy  brought  news  that  the  main  body  of 
the  rebels  was  within  a  few  miles  of  Lao-yang,  he 
was  compelled  to  remain  with  Woo-san-KAvei,  at  least 
till  the  enemy  had  been  destroyed  or  beaten  back 
from  whence  they  came. 

Then  terrible  preparations  were  made  for  a  close 
fight,  in  the  event  of  the  enemy  assaulting  the  town 
before  the  arrival  of  the  Tartars ;  but  when  Li-Kong 
came  in  sight,  with  an  army  so  vast  that  it  covered 
the  country  for  miles,  the  hearts  of  Woo-san-Kwei's 
troops  grew  faint,  for  should  the  Tartars  deceive 
them,  they  were  lost,  for  against  such  numbers  it  was 
uiipossible  they  could-  hold  out  many  days.  Still,  the 
greatest  coward  grew  courageous  when  he  thought 
of  the  merciless  cruelty  of  Li,  knowing  it  would  be  a 


294  THE  WAR  TIGER 

far  more  easy  death  to  fall  upon  the  walls  than  into 
his  hands,  and  so  for  days  they  held  out  bravely 
against  the  attacks  which  had  now  become  incessant. 
Then,  through  the  continued  efforts,  both  by  day  and 
night,  made  by  the  two  youths,  to  sustain  the  courage 
of  the  troops,  the  latter  recovered  their  spirits,  and 
so  gallantly  did  the  boys  help  in  repelling  the  assail- 
ants, that  they  were  praised  by  the  general  in  front 
of  the  whole  army. 

Fourteen  days  had  they  defended  the  town,  when 
the  provisions  became  so  scarce,  that,  again  losing 
hope,  the  troops  grew  mutinous  and  threatened  to 
throw  down  their  arms,  when,  iipon  the  fifteenth, 
upon  a  hill  that  arose  fai-  behind  the  rebel  army,  there 
shot  up  to  the  heavens  a  vast  body  of  blue  fire,  uj^on 
which,  forgetting  their  troubles,  the  soldiers  became 
frantic  with  joy,  offered  thanks  to  Fo,  and  returned 
to  their  duties  with  renewed  energy ;  and  no  wonder, 
for  it  was  the  signal  that  the  Tartars  were  on  theii" 
march  to  relieve  them. 

Li-Kong  must  also  have  understood  the  signal,  for 
from  the  moment  of  its  appearance  one-half  of  his 
army  began  to  manoeuvre,  so  as  to  present  a  good  front 
to  the  new  enemy,  while  the  other  commenced  a  fierce 
assault  upon  the  to  vv'n.  Seeing  assistance  at  hand,Woo- 
san-Kwei  ordered  his  trooj^s  to  reserve  their  arrows 
and  ammunition  till  their  ally  had  so  weakened  the 
enemy's  rear  that  he  couldjudiciously  leave  the  tov/n, 
and  attack  them  in  fi-ont.  When,  however,  the  be- 
sieged slackened  fire,  the  assaulting  party  retired, 
and  a  body  of  their  cavalry,  holding   their  great 


A   BATTLE.  295 

shields  before  them  to  receive  stray  arrows,  roclefor- 
wai-d  to  within  half  a  bow-shot  from  the  walls,  when 
they  came  to  a  dead  halt. 

"  AVhat  mean  the  dogs  ?  surely  they  escort  an 
envoy  from  the  rash  rebel,"  said  the  general,  com- 
manding silence  along  the  walls  ;  and  then  ordering 
one  of  his  ofiScers  to  shout  to  the  party,  that  they 
might  remove  their  shields  without  fear. 

This  having  been  done,  the  men  let  fall  their  shields, 
when  the  sight  that  presented  itself  caused  the  brave 
general  to  reel,  so  that  he  would  have  fallen  but  for 
the  support  of  Nicholas.  As  for  Chow,  he  placed 
an  arrow  in  his  bow,  and  would  have  sent  it  flying  at 
the  chief  of  the  party,  had  not  an  ofiicer  struck  the 
arrow  from  its  rest,  saying,  "  How,  wouldst  thou  dis- 
obey the  general?"  and  brought  to  his  senses,  the 
boy  stood  stamping  his  feet,  gnashing  his  teeth,  and 
twitching  the  bow  with  suppressed  rage.  Well 
might  the  sight  cause  such  consternation  on  the  part 
of  the  general,  for  there  upon  horseback,  heavily 
laden  with  chains,  sat  his  fiither  the  venerable  Woo, 
A^ith  his  long  gray  hair  flowing  down  his  bared  neck, 
accompanied  by  an  executioner,  who  stood  by  his  side, 
liolding  a  naked  sabre. 

"  What  would  the  General  Li-Korg  with  Woo-san- 
Kwei,  that  he  thus  humbles  him?"  said  Woo 
fcan-Kwei. 

"  Let  the  venerable  Woo  answer  the  question  of 
his  rebel  son,"  said  the  chief  of  the  party. 

Then  with  a  glance  of  fierce  defiance  at  his  guards, 
the  old  noble  said,  "  It  is  well  known,  O  my  son,  that 


296  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

the  heavens,  earth,  and  fate  cause  strange  vicissitudes 
of  fortune;  even  so  have  they  deposed  the  Emperor 
"Wey-t-song,  and  placed  in  his  royal  seat  the  Emperor 
Li-Kong,  who,  if  thou  wilt  make  a  virtue  of  neces- 
sity, acknowledge  his  dominion,  and  serve  him  as  a 
faithful  tributary,  will  confer  upon  thee  the  title  and 
dignity  of  a  king ;  but  if  thou  refusest  submission, 
the  head  of  thy  parent  will  be  the  penalty.  Such  are 
the  w^ords  the  aged  Woo  hath  been  commanded  to 
deliver  ;  it  is  now  for  his  brave  son  to  consider  what 
he  oweth  to  him  who  gave  him  life." 

So  great  was  the  indignation  of  the  troops  of  Woo- 
san-Kwei,  that  but  for  the  danger  of  Woo,  whom 
the  rebels  had  placed  in  their  front,  they  would  have 
shot  down  the  whole  party.  As  for  the  general,  he 
stood  for  some  minutes  bewildered ;  had  it  been  his 
rank,  fortune,  or  hfe,  that  was  in  danger,  his  filial 
love  would  have  prevented  an  instant's  hesitation ; 
but  was  he  not  the  son  of  a  man  whose  whole  life 
had  been  dedicated  to  the  people  ?  alas !  this  know- 
ledge made  his  agony  the  greater ;  for  the  better  the 
man,  the  greater  reason  his  life  should  be  saved  at 
any  cost.  At  any  ?  No — not  at  the  cost  of  his 
honoi',  and  the  safety  of  the  people,  whom  this  Li- 
Kong  was  decimating  hourly. 

With  terrible  patience  the  chief  of  the  party  await- 
ed a  reply.  It  was  given.  Woo-san-Kwei  fell  upon 
his  knees.  "  Pardon,  O  my  venerable  and  noble  pa- 
rent," said  he  aloud,  "  but  it  is  not  under  heaven  that 
thou  couldst  wish  thy  son  to  do  this  thing ;  if  it  be 
so,  let  this  be  the  answer :   He  that  is  not  faithful  to 


A  BATTLE.  297 

the  people  will  never  be  faithful  to  his  son  ;  therefore, 
if  you  forget  your  duty  and  fidelity  to  the  iinperi  al 
family,  and  the  people,  by  demanding  that  thy  son 
should  be  guilty  of  so  great  a  crime,  no  man  will 
l)lame  Woo-san-Kwei  for  forgetting  his  duty  and 
obedience  to  such  a  father."  Then,  turning  to  the 
chief,  the  general  added  sternly,  "  Take  back  these 
words,  thou  dog :  That  the  sou  of  the  venerable  Woo 
will  diethe  dog's  death  rather  than  acknowledge  so 
great  and  cruel  a  thief  as  this  Li-Kong." 

"  These  are  fragrant  words,  O  my  noble  son ;  for 
hadst  thou  been  guilty  of  so  monstrous  a  crime,  the 
names  both  of  father  and  son  would  have  sounded 
hateful  in  the  ears  of  posterity :  the  father,  that  he 
had  brought  up  a  son  so  basely ;  and  the  son,  that  he 
could  save  so  bad  a  parent,"  replied  the  venerable 
noble. 

"  Shall  it  go  down  to  posterity  that  the  noble  Woo- 
san-Kwei  was  the  assassin  of  his  parent  ?"  said  the 
chief  of  the  party. 

"  Thou  hast  thy  answer,  dog,  and  if  thou  art  with- 
in bow-shot  longer  than  the  next  five  minutes  thy 
miserable  life  shall  be  the  forfeit,"  said  the  general ; 
adding  sorrowfully,  "  Farewell,  O  my  venerable  pa- 
rent. May  the  great  Tien  pardon  me,  if  I  have  not 
chosen  vu'tuously." 

"  Thy  choice,  O  noble  son,  will  make  happy  the  i 
last   moments   of  thy   father,"  said   the  old  noble; 
when,  interruj)ting  him,  the  rebel  chief  said,  "  Still 
thou  shalt  have  another  chance  to  save  this  old  man's 
life,  thou  obstinate  rebel ;  addmg,  "  I  will  grant  thee 


298  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

another  hour,  and  if  within  that  time  a  fire  is  made 
upon  your  walls,  I  shall  take  it  as  the  token  of  your 
submission  ;  but  if  at  the  end  of  the  hour  such  a  sig- 
nal has  not  been  made,  then  shall  a  similar  signal 
from  the  Emperor's  camp  proclaim  thy  parent  to  bo 
on  his  journey  to  the  yellow  stream." 

After  this  the  party  hastened  back  to  their  camp, 
leaving  the  agonized  general  standing  in  melancholy 
thoughtfulness,  till  just  as  the  fifth  minute  expired  his 
attention  was  called  to  a  small  party  of  horsemen, 
who,  led  by  Nicholas  and  Chow,  were  at  full  gallop 
after  the  envoy.  It  was  rashness,  nay,  madness,  for 
they  were  rushing  upon  the  very  outposts  of  the  ene- 
my, and  nothing  less  than  a  miracle  could  save  the 
foolish  youths ;  when,  turning  to  an  ofiicer,  he  cried, 
"  Haste  thee  with  what  horse  you  can  collect  to  the 
rescue  of  those  foolish  boys." 

The  order  was  obeyed,  and  some  two  hundred 
horse  galloped  forward,  and  reached  them  in  time  to 
save  Nicholas  alone ;  as  for  Chow,  having  recognized 
in  the  chief  of  the  party  the  mandarin  who  had  slain 
his  father,  he  had  galloped  greatly  beyond  his  own 
party,  when  the  mandarin,  fearing  for  the  safe  cus- 
tody of  Woo,  pressed  forward  with  such  haste,  that, 
gettmg  far  ahead  of  his  own  party.  Chow  found  him- 
self a  prisoner  before  he  knew  where  he  was.  En- 
raged at  his  danger,  Nicholas  woixld  have  followed, 
but  for  the  soldiers  sent  by  Woo-san-Kwei,  who, 
coming  up  to  him,  caught  hold  of  the  rein  of  his 
horse,  and  in  the  name  of  the  general  commanded 
him  to  return  to  the  city.     By  the  time,  however,  he 


A  BATTLE.  299 

retnrued  to  the  town,  Woo-san-Kwei  had  determined 
to  make  a  dash  at  the  rebels  with  a  famt  hope  of 
saving  his  father, — a  hope  that  was  not  unreasonable, 
especially  as  the  advanced  guards  of  the  Tartars 
were  now  seen  to  attack  Li-Kong  from  the  opposite 
side.  The  little  army  was  ready ;  the  general  was  ai 
their  head  ;  but  before  they  had  marched  far,  a  bright 
flame  shot  up  from  the  camp  of  Li-Kong.  The  head 
of  Woo-san-Kwei  fell  upon  the  neck  of  his  horse ;  he 
sobbed  aloud,  "  The  assassin  has  taken  thy  life,  my 
noble  parent ;"  but  arousing  himself,  he  added,  "  For 
this  one  deed,  O  thou  villain,  thou  shalt  be  hunted 
from  the  land ;"  and  so  great  were  the  numbers  of 
the  Tartars,  and  the  bravery  of  "Woo-san-Kwei  and 
his  little  army,  that  before  midnight  Li-Kong  had 
been  driven  from  his  position  with  the  loss  of  at  least 
one-half  of  his  great  power. 


SCO  THE  WAR  TIGER. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

THE     REBELS   BEATEN. AKTFULNESS     OF   THE   TABiaB 

KING. — CHAGRIN  AND  DISAPPOINTMENT  OF  NICHOLAS. 

At  daybreak  the  battle  was  resumed;  and  with 
such  terrible  bravery  did  the  troops  of  "Woo-san- 
Kwei  and  his  ally  the  Tartar  king  fight,  that  before 
noon  the  rebels  fled  in  all  directions ;  the  main  body, 
under  Li  himself,  retreating  into  the  province  of  Pe- 
tche-Lee,  where  for  many  weeks  they  were  followed 
by  the  Tartars ;  and  although  the  latter  beat  Li  in 
every  engagement,  and  slew  vast  numbers  of  his 
troops,  he  managed  so  cleverly  that  he  reached  Pe- 
kin  ;  which  city  being  well  fortified  and  manned  by 
his  adherents,  he  held  out  till  the  Tartars  were  rein- 
forced by  many  thousands  of  their  brethren,  who. 
now  that  the  ancient  barrier  of  Leao-tong  had  been 
broken,  flooded  the  empire  like  a  mighty  torrent. 
Then  Li,  brave  and  able  as  he  really  was,  saw  the  ne- 
cessity of  retreating  from  the  capital.  To  do  this 
with  profit  to  himself,  the  artful  rogue  placed  the  whole 
of  his  troops  upon  and  before  the  northern  walls ; 
by  this  means  he  kept  the  soldiers  employed  and  the 
enemy  at  bay  at  least  eight  days  and  nights,  during 
which  tune  his  more  immediate  friends  and  faithful 
followers  were  engaged  in  carrying  from  the  imperia] 


THE    KEBELS   BEATEN.  301 

palace  the  vast  treasures  of  jewels,  gold,  and  silver, 
collected  by  the  Mmg  Emperors  durhig  the  preceding 
two  hundred  and  eighty  years,  with  which  they  es- 
caped to  Si-gnan,  in  the  province  of  Chen-si.  Then, 
when  the  Tartar  army  entered  the  capital,  although 
terribly  chagi-ined  at  the  loss  of  so  much  treasure, 
they  did  but  follow  Li-Kong  a  short  distance,  when 
they  gave  up  the  pursuit  and  returned  to  Pekin, 
greatly  to  the  vexation  of  "Woo-san-Kwei,  who,  as 
you  will  see,  soon  found  that  his  new  friends  were  as 
bad  as  his  old  enemies. 

No  sooner  was  Li-Kong  expelled,  than  Woo-san- 
Kwei  proclaimed  the  Prince  Yong-Li  Emperoi',  and 
offered  to  pay  the  Tartar  king  an  immense  sum  for 
the  use  of  his  army,  at  the  same  time  respectfully 
begging  he  would  withdraw  his  troops  from  the  em- 
pire, as  it  was  contrary  to  the  sacred  books  that  so 
many  foreigners  should  remain  in  the  sacred  capital ; 
to  which  polite  request  the  Tartar  made  an  equally 
polite  reply :  "  We  do  not,"  said  he,  think  it  fit  to 
leave  yet,  for  there  are  many  unsubdued  thieves  who 
may  cause  as  much  trouble  as  this  Li-Kong ;  more- 
over, this  arch-rebel  is  himself  established  in  his 
province,  and  would  doubtless  return  if  he  found  that 
we,  whom  alone  he  fears,  had  quitted  China ;  there- 
fore, O  noble  Woo-san-Kwei,  we  are  resolved  to  fol- 
low up  our  victory,  and  exterminate  every  rogue  in 
the  land,  so  that  you  may  deliver  the  empire  to  Yong- 
Li  in  full  peace  and  prosperity ;  as  for  the  payment 
for  our  services,  we  are  not  poor,  and  can  wait  till 
the  kingdom  be  settled.    In  the  mean  time,  however, 


302  THE   WAR  TIGER 

that  which  we  chiefly  desire  is,  that  the  great  Woo 
sau-Kwei  shall  recruit  his  army  ft-om  our  own,  and  pro- 
ceed to  Chen-si  to  destroy  the  dog  Li,  while  we,  with 
our  brave  Tartars,  will  endeavor  to  sweep  from  tbe 
southern  provinces  the  rogues  and  thieves  who  are 
now  settled  therein." 

Deeply  chagrined  that  he  had  replaced  dogs  with 
tigers,  Woo-san-Kwei  could  do  nothing  but  obey — 
for  in  reality  it  was  a  command ;  and  so  he  pro- 
ceeded into  Chen-si,  accompanied  by  Nicholas,  where, 
after  a  campaign  of  many  months,  he  succeeded  in 
destroying  the  power  and  army  of  Li-Kong ;  as  for 
the  rogue  himself,  as  his  body  was  not  found,  it  was 
supposed  that  he  had  been  killed,  while  endeavoring 
to  escape  in  the  disguise  of  a  private  soldier. 

Throughout  the  campaign  in  Chen-si,  Nicholas 
}iad  fought  w^ith  terrible  energy,  for  he  had  hoped 
that  when  they  took  possession  of  Li-Kong's  palace, 
he  should  obtain  at  least  some  clue  to  the  fate  of 
the  princess  and  Chow,  both  of  whom,  if  alive,  he 
believed  to  be  in  the  power  of  the  rebels.  As,  how- 
ever, notwithstanding  the  highest  rewards  and  the 
most  vigorous  search,  he  failed  in  gaining  the  slight- 
est clue,  he  felt  greatly  pleased  when  they  returned 
to  Pekin,  where  he  was  not  without  hope  that  the 
princess  might  be  concealed,  and  if  so,  she  was  safe ; 
for  doubtlessly,  by  the  time  they  reached  the  city, 
their  Tartar  allies  would,  according  tt)  their  promise, 
have  proclaimed  her  brother,  the  Prince  Yong-Li, 
Emperor. 

So  great  and  popular  had  been  the  successes  of 


THE   REBELS  BEATEN.  303 

Woo-san-Kwei  in  Chen-si,  that  as  he  rode  to\^'ar(3 
Pekin  the  people  came  out,  and  falling  upon  their 
knees,  almost  worshiped  him  as  the  restorer  of  peace 
and  order.  About  midway  between  Chen-si  and 
Pekin,  they  were  met  by  the  great  officers  of  the  Tar 
tar  king,  who  brought  with  them  a  vast  body  of 
troops,  in  order  to  augment  the  state  of  the  general's 
triumjDhal  entrance  into  the  capital  Now  this  was 
very  gratifymg  to  Nicholas,  for  seeing  the  Tartars 
pay  so  much  respect  to  the  great  Ming  general,  he 
doubted  less  than  ever  that,  like  faithful  friends,  if  they 
had  not  already  done  so,  they  would  speedily  restore 
Yong-Li  to  his  throne — a  gratification  which  was  con- 
siderably heightened,  when,  at  the  gates  of  the  city, 
they  were  met  by  a  procession  of  great  officers,  both 
Tartars  and  Chinese,  who,  in  the  name  of  the  Emperor, 
greeted  Woo-san-Kwei  with  the  title  of  King  of 
Chen-si;  so  with  difficulty  the  procession  passed 
through  the  masses  of  people,  whose  hoarse  voices 
clamored,  "Long  life,  ten  thousand  years,  to  the 
Emperor." 

"  This,  then,"  thought  Nicholas,  "  is  indeed  a  fortu- 
nate day  ;  for  not  only  have  these  brave  Tartars  re- 
stored the  Prince  Yong-Li  to  his  right,  but  the  amiable 
prince  commences  his  reign  by  an  act  of  gratitude ; 
for,  forgetting  his  quarrel  with  Woo-san-Kwei,  he  re- 
wards his  great  services  with  the  kingdom  of  Chen- 
si."  Thus  they  rode  onward  till  they  came  to  the 
palace,  where  the  Emperor  was  waiting  to  do  honor 
to  the  great  general. 

Then,  as  Nicholas  passed  through  the  courts  of 


30i  THE   WAR  TIGER, 

the  palace,  he  stared  with  surprise,  not  unmixed  with 
indignation,  at  the  disproportion  of  the  numbers  of 
Chinese  to  those  of  the  Tartars.  Yet  again,  surely 
it  was  but  gratitude  on  the  part  of  the  young  Em- 
peror to  reward  those  who  had  restored  him  to  the 
throne  of  his  ancestors;  still  a  strange  fear  crept  over 
him,  and  he  said,  almost  in  a  whisper,  "  Truly,  O 
illustrious  prince,  these  barbarians  have  taken  posses- 
sion of  the  empire." 

"  It  is  as  wise,  O  youth,  to  make  a  virtue  of  neces- 
sity, as  it  is  childish  to  resist  the  decrees  of  fate," 
said  the  general ;  and  then  a  i)ang  of  disappointment 
shot  through  the  youth's  heart ;  his  illusion  vanished ; 
moreover,  he  would  have  given  his  hfe  to  have  avoid- 
ed the  scene  before  him.  They  had  entered  the  great 
hall  of  audience;  there,  upon  the  golden  dragon 
throne,  surrounded  by  the  warrior  princes  and  chiefa 
of  Mantchouria,  sat  the  Emperor.  The  Emperor, 
indeed !  not  Yong-Li,  but  a  Tartar  child  of  six  years 
of  age.  Heartsick,  enraged,  he  would  have  spoken. 
The  general  perceiving  his  misery,  clutched  his  arm. 
Nicholas  checked  his  impatience,  but  nevertheless 
muttered,  '"  Surely  the  heavens  will  fall,  for  the  great 
Woo-san-Kwei  has  proved  a  traitor." 


THE  BOY  EMPEROil.  805 


CHAPTER  XL. 

tHE   GREAT  BOY   EMPEROR. NICHOLAS     MEETS    WTTn 

A   FEARFUL   SURPRISE. 

Once  having  entered  the  rich  empire  of  China,  the 
Tartar  king  determined  to  remain,  and  thus  artfully 
sent  Woo-san-Kwei,  the  only  man  he  feared,  to  chas- 
tise the  rebels  in  Chen-si,  so  that  he  could  the  better 
introduce  more  and  more  of  the  warrior  tribes  be- 
neath his  rule :  moreover,  he  was  so  cruel  to  those 
who  resisted  his  army,  and  so  generous  and  kind  to 
those  who  submitted  freely,  that  the  people,  glad  to 
get  a  sovereign  who  had  power  enough  to  crush  the 
rapacious  nobles,  unanimously  hailed  him  Emperor ; 
before,  however,  he  could  be  formally  installed,  he 
became  seized  with  a  mortal  illness,  so,  calling  his 
brother  Amavan,  he  created  him  regent  during  the 
minority  of  his  son  Chun-ti,  a  child  six  years  of  age. 

Fortunately  for  the  young  Emperor,  Amavan, 
unlike  most  Asiatic  uncles,  proved  faithful  to  his 
nephew,  and,  more  fortunately  still,  Amavan  hap- 
pened to  be  a  great  as  well  as  a  brave  man,  who 
conquered  his  enemies  as  much  by  his  intellect  as 
his  sword.  Taking  care,  therefore,  to  have  an  over- 
whelming number  of  troops  in  Pekin,  he  first  sought 
to  establish  the  government  by  distributing  the  great 
20 


306  THE    WAE  TIGEE. 

offices  of  the  empire  equally  among  Ms  Tartars  and 
the  Chinese  mandarins.  Then  to  Woo-san-Kwei  he 
had  represented  by  his  ambassadors  the  folly  of  en- 
deavoring to  oppose  the  great  power  of  the  new  Eni- 
peror,  and,  moreover,  the  cruelty  of  bringing  upon 
the  people  the  horrors  of  a  civil  war;  while,  if  he 
would  aid  in  the  firm  settlement  of  the  new  dynasty, 
he  should  not  only  be  created  King  of  Chen-si,  but 
that,  as  the  laws  of  the  Chinese  were  the  best  in  the 
Avorld,  the  Tartars  should  conform  to  them  in  every 
respect.  To  all  of  which  Woo-san-Kwei,  being  so 
entirely  checkmated,  could  but  submit,  retaining  a 
hope  that  the  time  and  opportunity  might  come  when 
he  should  be  powerful  enough  to  drive  these  Tartars 
from  the  land — a  task  which,  when  too  late,  he  foimd 
to  be  rather  more  difficult  than  bringing  them  in. 

Having  thixs,  as  he  thought,  gained  over  the  Ming 
general  to  his  cause,  and  wishing  to  give  the  Chinese 
a  proof  that  the  young  Emperor  wished  to  conciliate 
them,  Amavan  resolved,  that  the  greatest  of  their 
countrymen  should  be  received  on  his  entiy  into  Pe- 
kin  with  royal  honors  ;  and  more,  that  the  same  day 
should  be  the  one  chosen  for  his  imperial  nephew's 
first  grand  levee. 

I  will  now  return  to  Nicholas,  who,  with  hardly 
STippressed  indignation,  was  compelled  to  witness  the 
following  scene. 

Having  commanded  the  great  lords,  who  were 
prostrate  at  the  foot  of  his  throne,  to  rise,  the  child 
Emperor  Chun-ti  addressed  them  in  a  speech  that 
not  only  astonished  the  whole  court,  but  remains  to 


THE   BOY   EMPEROR.  307 

the  present  day  one  of  the  marvels  in  the  history  of 
China. 

"It  is  your  strength  and  power  more  than  my 
felicity,  my  dear  and  genei-ous  uncle,  and  you,  the 
rest  of  my  noble  commanders,  which  supports  my 
w^eakness,  and  makes  me  so  undauntedly  ascend  this 
Imperial  throne.  My  present  assurance,  and  this 
chair's  stability,  is,  I  hope,  as  happy  a  sign  of  my 
future  prosperity  as  its  tottering  proved  unfortunate 
to  the  thief  Li-Kong.  You  see  my  first  step  to  the 
empire,  but  I  know  your  valor  to  be  such  that  I  look 
not  only  upon  the  kingdom  of  China  as  my  own,  but 
conceive  the  empire  of  the  world  not  only  by  me 
possessed,  but  also  established.  The  rewards  due  to 
such  incomparable  virtues  shall  be  no  other  than  the 
riches  of  the  empire  and  royal  dignities." 

At  this  extraordinary  speech  from  the  lips  of  so 
young  a  child,  and  which,  notwithstanding  the 
silence  of  solemn  historians  on  the  subjects,  I  beUeve 
must  have  been  taught  Master  Chun-ti  by  his  uncle, 
the  artful  Amavan,  the  nobles  fell  upon  their  faces, 
as  thankfully  as  a  flock  of  famished  wolves  at  the 
sight  of  a  good  meal  after  a  run  of  a  great  many 
hundreds  of  miles 

After  which  the  Emperor  added,  "And  that  it 
may  be  known  throughout  the  empire  that  we  can 
reward  merit,  whether  it  be  found  in  our  Chinese 
subjects  or  our  own  black-haired  race,  we  bestow 
upon  the  rebel-subduing  "Prince  Woo-san-Kwei,  the 
title  of  Pacifier  of  the  Western  World,  and  the  dig- 
nity and  rank  of  King  of  Chen-si ;  may  his  appoint 


308  THE   "WAR  TIGER. 

ment  prove  fortunate  to  the  people."  Whereupon^ 
to  the  disgust  of  Nicholas,  the  Ming  general  knelt 
before  the  Emperor,  and  holding  his  hands  above  liis 
head,  received  the  golden  box,  in  which  wei'e  placed 
^he  symbols  of  his  office. 

After  this  Nicholas  was  pained  not  only  to  witness 
the  bestowal  of  high  offices  upon  the  Tartar  chief- 
tains, but,  for  worse,  the  acceptation  of  dignities  by 
Chinese  mandarins,  who  had  been  profuse  in  thei? 
professions  of  loyalty  to  the  Ming  family.  Then,  as 
the  Emperor  was  about  to  move  his  sleeves  as  a  sig- 
nal of  the  close  of  the  audience,  one  of  the  nobles 
announced  the  arrival  of  some  great  personage, 
whose  name  his  ears  failed  to  catch,  whereupon  the 
regent  Amavan  said,  "This  man,  O  my  prince,  is  the 
greatest  of  your  majesty's  conquests,"  and  in  ano- 
ther minute  a  personage  of  majestic  height  and 
figure,  attu'ed  and  attended  with  all  the  magnificence 
of  a  king,  entered  the  hall  and  fell  at  the  foot  of  the 
throne,  and  as  he  did  so  Amavan  proclaimed  his 
name  and  titles,  when  Nicholas  gave  a  cry  of  aston- 
ishment, and  would  have  rushed  forward,  but  for 
Woo-san-Kwei,  who,  by  whispering  in  his  ear,  caused 
him  to  become  as  pale  and  almost  as  silent  as  marble. 
His  surprise  and  indignation  was  not  wonderful,  for 
tlie  great  man  who  knelt  at  the  feet  of  the  Tartar 
chief  was  no  less  a  personage  than  his  own  father, 
(  hiu-Chi-Loong. 


NICHOLAS  LEAVES  PEKIN.  309 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

ISnCHOLAS     HAS     AN    INTERVIEW    -WTrH    HIS    FATHBB, 
AND    LEAVES    PEKIN   FOR    EVER. 

Not  daring  to  believe,  yet  trembling  for  fear  bis 
fatber  sbould  be  tbe  traitor  to  tbe  Mings  tbat  his  sub- 
mission to  Cbun-ti  bad  proclaimed  bim,  Nicholas  fol- 
lowed tbe  procession  tbat  conducted  Cbui-Chi-Loong 
to  tbe  palace  appointed  for  bis  residence  in  Pekin ; 
nor  could  be  help  remarking  tbe  absence  of  Chinese 
faces  among  tbe  soldiers  and  attendants  who  followed 
bim.  Again,  when  be  entered  tbe  palace,  tbe  court, 
yards,  and  tbe  passages,  nought  could  he  see  but  Tar- 
tars. "Surely,"  he  thought,  "my beloved  fatber  must 
be  a  prisoner  of  state  ;"  and,  much  vexed  at  his  imfilial 
misgivings  of  his  parent's  loyalty,  be  sent  to  tbe  chief 
a  message  by  one  of  tbe  attendants,  tbat  "  the  bearer 
of  bis  letter  from  tbe  south  to  tbe  north"  craved  an 
immediate  audience  of  tbe  King  Pacifier  of  tbe  South ; 
when,  as  the  chief  knew  that  it  could  be  no  other 
than  Nicholas,  in  another  minute  tbe  father  and  son 
had  met  again,  after  their  long  absence  from  each 
other. 

"  Is  it  possible  that  my  fatber  can  have  become  so 
terrified  by  the  tempestuous  fortunes  of  the  imperial 
Ming,  tbat  be  sbould  seek  tbe  sunshine  of  the  barba- 


310  THE   WAJl  TIGER. 

rian's  court?"  said  Nicholas,  sadly,  wlien  the  first 
greeting  was  past. 

"  This  is,  indeed,  the  most  unfortunate  day  in  the 
life  of  Chiu-Chi-Loong,  if  his  son  can  beheve  him 
willingly  guilty  of  so  great  a  crime,"  said  the  chief. 

"What  words  are  these,  my  noble  parent  ?  for  if  thou 
art  not  a  receiver  of  stolen  things,  how  earnest  thou 
by  this  kingdom  of  Fokien  ?  for  surely  it  was  not 
given  to  thee  by  the  Emperor  Youg-Li,"  rej)lied 
Nicholas. 

"  Is  my  son  blind,  that  he  cannot  see  that  his  pa- 
rent is  a  prisoner  to  these  Tartar  dogs?" 

"A  prisoner,  my  father!  Do  the  Tartars  confer 
kingdoms  upon  their  prisoners?"  said  Nicholas. 

"Even  as  thou  wilt  hear,"  replied  the  chief;  add- 
ing, "  The  commission  sent  by  the  Emperor  Wey-t- 
song  created  his  servant  lord  of  the  four  seas.  Once 
in  possession  of  that  office  I  sought  to  sweep  the 
rebels  and  thieves  from  the  sea-coast  provinces,  but 
by  the  time  I  had  effected  this  great  end,  the  news 
came  that  the  rebel  Li-Kong  had  slain  the  Emperor 
and  usurped  the  throne;  then  I  determined  to  hold 
possession  of  the  seas,  towns,  and  cities  for  the  Prince 
Yong-Li,  and  so  for  many  months  kept  the  miserable 
Tartars  who  had  invaded  those  provinces  at  bay; 
and  even  when  the  barbarians  poured  into  the  empire 
like  locusts,  I  still  kept  possession  of  the  sea-coast 
towns  aud  cities.  Then,  afraid  of  my  power,  the 
Tartar  king  and  his  brother  Amavan  sent  a  great  em- 
bassy, assuring  me  they  were  allies  of  the  great  Woo- 
san-Kvvei,    who,   to   quell   the   rebellion   and    hunt 


NICHOLAS  LEAVES  PEKIN.  311 

Jilie  robbers  from  the  face  of  the  laud,  had  pray- 
ed their  assistance;  moreover,  they  swore  that 
when  they  had  purged  the  empire  of  all  such  rogues, 
they  would  place  it  in  the  hands  of  the  Prince  Yong- 
Liand  leave  the  land." 

"  Surely  my  father  was  too  wise  to  believe  the  art- 
ful  thieves,"  said  Nicholas. 

"  Kot  so,  my  son,  for  the  embassy  was  supported 
by  a  letter  in  the  characters  of  Woo-san-Kwei,  in- 
forming me  of  the  cruel  murder  of  his  parent,  earn- 
estly beseeching  my  aid  in  exterminating  the  rebels, 
and  also  assuring  me  of  the  good  faith  of  the  Tartar 
rats.  Not  doubting  so  great  and  wise  a  general,  and 
moreover  that  the  people  might  believe  my  authority 
lawful,  I  accepted  from  the  Tartar  king  the  title  of 
Pacificator  of  the  South,  and  the  kingdom  of  Fokien. 
When,  however,  I  had  made  amity  with  him,  he 
poured  fresh  hordes  into  the  cities,  so  that  speedily  I 
had  little  power  upon  land,  and  determined  upon  the 
first  opportunity  to  again  seek  my  fleet.  It  was  then 
that  I  became  betrayed  into  their  hands,  for  the 
Prince  Amavan,  who  commanded  in  the  south,  sud- 
denly gave  out  that  he  was  proceeding  to  Pekin,  to 
aid  in  the  installation  of  the  new  Emperor,  and  pray- 
ed that  previous  to  his  departure  I  would  take  part 
in  a  great  hunting  expedition.  Knowing  tliis  to  be 
Llie  darling  pastime  of  these  barbarians,  I  complied. 
When,  however,  we  had  reached  a  great  distance  from 
the  coast,  I  saw  a  large  body  of  troops  come  from  be- 
hind a  neighboring  hUl,  and  immediately,  fearmg 
treachery.  I  resolved  to  escape,  but  the  mild  manner 


812  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

of  Amavan  pei'suaded  me  that  my  fears  were 
idle ;  so  when  too  late  I  found  myself  in  the  midst  of 
the  main  body  of  his  army  ;  with  the  greatest  jsolite- 
ness,  he  informed  me  his  brotlier  the  king  was  dead, 
and  that  the  Emperor  was  his  nephew  Chun  ti.  At 
the  news,  I  could  have  plunged  my  dagger  into  the 
rogue;  but  knowing  that  force  would  be  useless 
among  such  a  formidable  army,  I  dissembled  my 
rage,  and  pretended  to  rejoice  at  the  chance  of  pros- 
perity the  people  would  have  beneath  such  an 
Emperor." 

"  Indeed  it  were  better  to  die  than  dissemble,  my 
father,"  said  Nicholas,  with  flashing  eyes. 

•  "Listen,  my  son.  Well,  taking  advantage  of  my 
apparent  joy,  this  Amavan  told  me  he  was  command- 
ed by  the  Emperor  to  invite  me  to  his  court,  where  I 
should  formally  receive  my  title  and  kingdom  from 
the  imperial  hands.  Thus  had  I  the  choice  of  enter- 
ing Pekin  as  a  captive  or  a  king." 

"  The  former  would  have  been  more  worthy  of  the 
great  sea  chief,  whose  ambition  hath  ruined  him," 
said  Nicholas. 

"  Is  it  possible  that  thou  canst  dare " 

"  Pardon,  O  my  father,  but  thy  son  will  dare  any 
thing  and  every  thing  till  he  can  rescue  his  parent, 
country,  and  Emj)erca'  from  the  hands  of  these  barba- 
rians, and  untU.  he  has  done  this  he  will  rest  neither 
by  night  nor  day." 

"  Do  this,  and  my  error  may  yet  be  retrieved." 
"  Thy  son  shall  be  worthy  of  his  parent,"  replied 
Nicholas ;  adding,  "  But  cannot  my  father  cast  aside 


NICHOLAS   LEAVES   PEKLN.  813 

this  mock  dignity,  arid  at  once  escape  from  this  rebel- 
lious city  ?" 

"  It  is  not  possible ;  it  would  not  be  wise ;  it  would 
bo  treasonous  to  the  General  Woo-san-Kwei." 

"  Then  the  noble  Woo-san-Kwei  is  not  a  traitor  to 
the  Emperor  Yong-Li,"  said  Nicholas,  eagerly. 

"Hist!"  replied  the  chief  by  way  of  caution  ;  then 
adding,  "  He  but  waits  the  opportunity  to  rise  and 
exterminate  the  Tartars." 

"  Thank  Heaven !"  exclaimed  Nicholas  ;  adding, 
"Yet  surely  these  double  ways  are  neither  honest 
nor  successful."  Then,  taking  farewell  of  his  parent, 
he  left  the  palace,  and  makuig  his  way  to  a  portion 
of  the  city  unfrequented  by  the  Tartars,  exchanged 
his  rich  clothes  for  the  attire  of  a  small  merchant, 
went  to  the  river,  and  after  some  hard  bargaining, 
took  a  passage  on  board  a  tradmg  junk,  and  left  Pe- 
kin  for  ever. 


eSt4  TBE  WAR  TIGSR. 


CHAPTER  XLO. 

rUE   KITAL   SEA  CHIKFS, — RE-AI*PEAEA1T<IB  OF  AIT   OLD 
FRIEND. A   COMICAL   BATTLE   WITH    THE  TAKTABa. 

Onck  masters  of  Pekin,  wIitcIi  being  so  near  their 
native  wilds,  enabled  them  to  introduce  hordes  of 
their  fellow-countrymen,  the  Tartars  conquered  prov 
ince  by  province,  till  they  obtained  possession  of  the 
whole  empire.  Tlie  most  difficult,  however,  to  sub- 
due, were  the  southern  districts,  which  edged  the  sea, 
and  chiefly  for  this  reason  :  that  not  long  after  they 
succeeded  in  entrapping  Chin-Chi-Loong,  to  their 
surprise,  there  appeared  anothei*  and  a  greater  sea 
chief,  whose  fleet  was  so  large,  and  bis  successes  so 
great  in  destroying  the  Tartar  settlements  upon  the 
coasts,  and  even  the  great  towns  up  the  Yang-tse- 
Kiang,  that  the  greater  jjart  of  the  Chinese,  who  had 
any  spirit  or  patriotism  i*eraaining,  flocked  to  his 
standard,  and  swelled  his  fleet  and  army  to  such  a 
Bize,  that  the  Tartar  government,  trembling  with  fear 
for  the  capital  itself,  offered  immense  rewards  for  his 
head ;  and  finding  that  of  no  use,  offered  to  give  him 
the  command  of  the  seas,  and  even  a  kingdom,  if  he 
tvould  acknowledge  their  rule ;  but  all  this  was  of  no 
use :  the  terrible  patriot  Tcting-Tching-Kong,  (or 
Koshinga,  as  the  Portuguese  did,  and  I  shall  for  the 


THE   SEA   CHIEFS.  315 

future,  name  him,)  would  listen  to  no  other  terms 
but  their  departure  from  the  country,  to  which,  bui 
for  the  sudden  appearance  on  the  coast  of  another 
formidable  sea-chief,  named  Yuen,  they  would  in  all 
l)robability  have  been  compelled  to  yield. 

Now  the  difference  between  these  two  chiefs  was, 
that  while  Koshinga  protected  the  Chinese  against 
the  invaders,  the  chief  Yuen  Avas  a  mere  pirate,  and, 
if  booty  were  to  be  gained,  destroyed  both  peoples 
alike.  Moreover,  the  latter  seemed  to  have  a  great 
hatred  for  Koshinga;  for,  although  he  dared  not 
meet  him  in  fair  fight,  if  by  chance  he  ever  fell  in 
with  a  solitary  ship  of  his  fleet,  he  would  wantonly 
sink  it  with  all  its  crew;  and  so  terrible  had  the 
name  of  this  Yuen  become,  that  the  people  upon  the 
coast  named  him  the  Black  Sea-draoon.  Neither  was 
it  possible  to  make  out  the  object  of  this  pirate.  It 
could  not  have  been  the  desire  of  mere  wealth,  for 
the  Tartar  government,  thinking  him  a  very  desirable 
antagonist  to  Koshinga,  offered  him  wealth,  and  the 
same  rank  they  had  offered  to  his  rival,  provided  he 
succeeded  in  destroying  the  latter ;  but  still,  although 
Yuen  hated  the  patriot  sea  chief,  his  dislike  to  the 
Tartars  was  no  less,  for,  like  Koshinga,  he  destroyed 
iheir  houses  and  massacred  their  people  at  every  op- 
portunity. So  at  length,  giving  up  all  hope  of  con- 
quering either  of  his  amphibious  enemies,  Chun-ti 
issued  an  order  that  all  the  houses,  cities,  towns,  and 
villages,  within  ten  miles  of  the  sea,  should  be  de- 
stroyed, chiefly,  I  believe,  to  prevent  the  people  from 
Buppl^dug  them  with  provisions. 


dl6  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

Well,  one  day,  shortly  after  this  order  had  been  re- 
ceived, and  the  inhabitants  of  a  small  town  on  the 
coast  of  Fokien  were  in  high  bustle  packing  up  their 
goods  and  chattels  ready  for  departure,  some  by 
Qieans  of  carts,  others,  and  the  greater  part,  by  junks 
ftiid  barges,  a  large  merchant  junk  stood  in  from  the 
sea,  entered  the  narrow  creek  into  which  the  river 
emptied  itself,  anchored,  and  would  have  remained 
unnoticed  by  the  soldiers,  who  were  inspecting  the 
carrying  out  of  the  Emperor's  orders,  but  for  the  ap 
pearance  of  a  young  man,  who,  stepping  on  shore,  was 
mimediately  seized  by  the  order  of  the  officer. 
"Who  is  the  vile  slave,  that  he  dares  disobey  the 
commands  of  the  great  Emperor  ?"  said  the  latter. 

"Surely  thy  servant,  who  has  but  just  entered  the 
town,  can  be  guilty  of  no  crime  ?" 

"  Are  the  words  of  the  Emperor  dirt,  that  they 
should  have  escaped  the  ears  of  so  small  a  dog  ?"  said 
the  officer. 

"Truly  these  holy  words  have  not  fallen  into  the 
ears  of  thy  mean  servant,  O  magnificent  commander," 
returned  the  otlier. 

"  Then  let  the  dog's  ears  be  opened,  and  he  shall 
hear,"  said  the  officer,  directing  a  soldier  to  proclaim 
the  royal  command,  which  was  to  the  efiect  that  the 
long  hair  of  every  Chinese  should  be  shaven  from  his 
head,  and  the  growth  of  a  Tartar  tail  encouraged,  in 
order  that  there  should  be  no  difference  between  the 
two  races. 

When  the  stranger,  however,  heard  the  order,  his 
eyes  flashed,  and  his  lips  quivered  with  rage,  at  the 


THE    SEA    CHIEFS.  317 

great  badge  of  slavery  the  Tartars  were  thrusting 
upon  liis  countrymen  ;  and  lie  placed  his  hand  beneath 
his  robe,  as  if  clutching  the  hilt  of  a  sword  ;  but  then, 
looking  at  the  Tartar  troops,  who  had  by  this  time 
•surrounded  him,  and  perceiving  the  folly  of  resistance, 
te  said,  "Truly  the  ears  of  thy  servant  have  not 
!ieard  this  order." 

"  Let  the  dog  obey,  or  he  shall  be  strangled,"  was 
the  only  reply. 

Then,  with  a  look  half  tragic,  half  comic,  and,  taking 
his  long  flowing  locks  in  his  hand,  he  said,  "  Surely 
the  magnificent  commander  will  give  his  servant  a 
few  hours  to  prepare  his  head  for  so  serious  a  fare- 
well ?" 

The  next  minute,  however,  one  of  the  barbers  who 
accompanied  the  troops  for  the  purpose  of  performing 
the  first  operation  upon  the  conquered  people,  made 
his  appearance,  and,  setting  down  his  apparatus,  be- 
gan to  prepare  his  scissors  and  large  knife,  when,  like 
a  half-secured  animal  whose  dim  instinct  had  just 
been  aroused  to  the  fact  of  the  coming  slaughter,  the 
stranger  struck  out  with  both  fists,  sending  barber 
and  ofticer  rolling  one  over  the  other,  and  darted  off, 
followed  by  at  least  a  dozen  arrows  from  the  bows 
(•f  the  soldiers,  who,  however  had  been  too  much 
surprised  to  aim  properly. 

Now,  weak  and  effeminate  as  the  Chinese  had 
shown  themselves  in  allowing  the  empire  to  become 
so  easily  conquered  by  the  Tartars,  this  insult  ^\{as 
always  deeply  felt  even  by  those  who  had  been  com- 
pelled to  submit,  so  m  a  few  minutes  they  gathered 


318  THE   WAR   TIGER. 

about  tlie  Tartars  in  great  numbers,  and  being  in 
spired  by  the  stranger's  pluck,  from  bard  words  came 
to  such  hard  blows,  that  the  bully  Tartars  were  very 
glad  to  beat  a  retreat,  only  promising  to  themselves  a 
great  revenge  hereafter. 

As  for  the  stranger,  he  ran  with  such  speed  and 
blind  terror,  at  the  notion  of  losing  his  beautiful  hair, 
that  he  tumbled  headlong  over  an  old  sow  into  a 
litter  of  pigs,  which  were  among  the  goods  about  to 
be  taken  away ;  and,  comical  as  was  this  scene,  it 
might  have  been  serious,  for  the  animal,  seeing  her 
family  attacked  by  so  formidable  an  enemy,  would 
have  made  it  a  personal  matter,  but  for  a  mob  of  peo- 
ple who  came  to  the  rescue  of  the  stranger,  at  whose 
spirit  in  resisting  the  hateful  order  they  were  so  de- 
lighted, that  they  lifted  him  upon  their  shoulders  ; 
when  the  youth,  in  his  excitement,  mistaking  them 
for  Tartars,  put  both  his  hands  to  his  locks,  exclaim- 
ing, "  You  dogs,  I  will  rather  lose  my  head  than 
prove  such  a  coward." 

"  A  patriot  !  a  hero !  down  with  the  Tartar 
thieves  !"  said  the  mob. 

When  the  stranger,  recovering  from  his  fright, 
said,  "  Pardon,  O  my  brothers,  for  believing  you  to 
be  such  dogs." 

Then  the  crowd  gave  more  cheers,  and  asked 
where  he  would  be  taken  to. 

"  Know  any  of  you  the  residence  of  the  colao  Ki  ?" 
was  the  reply. 

"  To  the  house  of  the  good  Ki,"  exclaimed  the  mob, 
and  in  a  few  minutes  more  they  had  deposited  him 


THE   SEA   CHIEFS.  3J9 

at  the  gates  of  &  great  house  not  far  distant  from  the 
sea, 

"  What  rogue  is  this  who  dares  disturb  the  quiet 
of  the  noble  Ki  ?"  said  the  servant  who  opened  the 
gate. 

"  Let  me  pass,  thou  mean  fellow,  said  the  apparent- 
ly mad-headed  stranger,  rushing  through  halls  and 
courts  till  he  reached  the  door  of  the  women's  apart- 
ments, which,  to  the  horror  of  the  servant,  who  now 
called  for  assistance,  he  burst  open,  and,  seeing  two 
ladies,  fell  at  the  feet  of  one  of  them,  sobbing  aloud, 
"  Then  my  information  is  true,  and  I  have  found  tliee 
again,  my  venerable  and  beloved  parent."  Need  I 
tell  you  that  the  stranger  was  no  other  than  Cliow  ? 

"The  gods  punish  me  witli  a  false  vision,  my  eye- 
balls must  be  old,  or  it  is  indeed  my  beloved  son 
Chow,"  said  the  lady,  throwing  her  arms  around  her 
son's  neck. 

"  The  faitliful  fi-iend  of  the  noble  Nicholas !  Surely 
this  is  not  possible,"  said  the  princess,  hysterically, 
so  forgetting  her  rank  in  her  delighted  surprise,  that 
she  embraeed  him  as  a  brother,  not  a  little,  I  assure 
you,  to  the  wonder  and  horror  of  the  servants,  and 
the  colao  himself,  who  had  hastened  to  the  apartment 
to  secure  the  daring  robber,  as  the  frightened  servant 
had  reported,  and  which  Ki  believed  Chow  to  be, 
reeling  certain  that  none  but  a  thief  would  be  guilty 
Df  so  profane  an  act  as  entering  the  sacred  apartments 
of  the  ladies. 


320  THE  WAR  TIGER. 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 

CIIOTV  DISCOVERS  HIS  MOTHER  AND  THE  PRINCESS.— 
RESCUES  THEM  FROM  THE  TARTARS  AND  RELATES 
HIS   ADVENTURES. 

When  the  sui*prise  had  a  little  subsided  upon  both 
sides,  Chow  looked  around,  listened  anxiously  for  a 
moment,  and  then  said,  "  This  is  a  fortunate  day ;  the 
surprise,  the  joy  is  great,  but,  alas  !  it  will  be  short- 
lived, for  the  barbarians  can  neither  forget  nor  for- 
give," and  he  related  his  adventure  with  the  soldiers  ; 
when,  taking  him  by  the  hand,  the  princess  said, 
"  Fear  not,  friend  of  my  brother ;  the  bai-barians 
dare  not  enter  the  house  of  Ki ;  for  the  usurper,  bar- 
barian as  he  is,  has  bestowed  honor  upon  the  noble 
colao  for  his  services  to  his  late  Emperor,  and  as  a 
consolation  for  his  misfortunes ;  and  in  the  house  of 
one  upon  whom  Chun-ti  has  bestowed  the  honored 
title  of '  Faithful  to  his  Prince,'  no  person  dares  enter 
unasked." 

"Thy  servant  feared  less  for  himself  than  for  hij 
beloved  mother  and  the  illustrious  princess,  Avhora 
he  is  commanded  by  the  noble  Nicholas  to  rescue 
from  the  degenerate  soil  of  China,  till  it  again  owns 
its  native  princess,"  said  Chow  ;  adding,  "  From  the 
hour  that  the  vile  guide  betrayed  the  illustrious  prin- 


chow's  mother  and  the  princess.     321 

cess  into  the  hands  of  the  rogues,  the  noble  Nicholas 
has  left  no  stone  unturned  to  discover  thy  fiUe." 
Then,  repeating  the  history  of  their  adventures  to  the 
time  of  his  being  taken  prisoner  by  Li-Kong,  he  add- 
(id,  "  So  enraged  was  the  villain  mandarin,  that,  in- 
8l  ead  of  killing  me  on  the  spot,  he  reserved  me  for  a 
cruel  death  uj^on  our  reaching  Pekin  ;  then,  however, 
being  driven  from  the  capital,  he  took  me  with  him 
to  Chen-si,  where  I  was  kept  loaded  with  chains  in  a 
damp  hole  for  many  months,  till  indeed  the  great 
rebel  was  himself  driven  out  of  Chen-si,  when,  so  ill 
that  I  could  not  walk,  I  was  taken  from  the  prison 
and  conveyed  to  the  house  of  the  physician,  who  had 
been  ordered  to  take  charge  of  the  sick  and  wounded, 
and  imfortunately  I  remained  senseless  so  long,  that 
when  I  recovered,  I  discovered  that  not  only  had  the 
great  Woo-san-Kwei  been  the  general  who  had  pun- 
ished Li,  but  that  my  beloved  master  had  been  with 
him.  Bitterly  regretting  the  misfortune  that  had 
caused  me  to  miss  him  so  narrowly,  I  resolved  on 
seeking  him  in  the  cajsital ;  and  so  without  money  or 
food,  but  what  I  could  beg  on  the  road,  I  traveled, 
being  compelled  to  rest  many  days  upon  my  journey. 
"  At  length,  however,  I  reached  Pekin,  when,  to 
my  great  rage,  not  only  did  I  find  that  the  Tartar 
prince  had  seized  the  throne,  but  that  my  noble  mas- 
ter had  left  the  city  in  horror  at  the  great  treason  of 
his  illustrious  parent  Chin-Chi-Loong.  Then,  weary 
of  a  world  which  contained  so  much  vileness  and 
misfortune,  I  should  have  myself  sought  the  yellow 
stream,  had  it  not  occurred  to  me,  that  it  would  be 
21 


322  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

villainous  to  desert  the  beloved  parent  whom  I  had 
resolved  to  discover ;  but,  moreover,  my  master  liaJ 
tauglit  me  that  it  was  a  great  crime ;  and,  trembling 
that  I  had  ever  contemplated  such  a  thing,  I  rushed 
down  to  the  canal  and  engaged  myself  as  a  Coolie, 
for  I  thought  the  employment  would  drive  away  my 
sorrow,  and,  perhaps,  throw  some  lucky  chance  in 
my  way,  and  so  it  happened ;  for  one  day,  carrying 
some  goods  for  a  traveling  merchant,  the  good  man 
took  a  fancy  to  me,  and  offered  to  take  me  with  him 
into  the  province  of  Fokien.  The  offer  gave  me  joy, 
for  I  knew  that  if  ever  I  found  my  master  it  would 
be  near  the  sea,  which  he  loves  as  if  he  were  a 
fish,  and  so  it  chanced ;  for  one  day,  after  manj 
months'  traveling,  we  lodged  at  the  town  of  Ho-a, 
when  a  few  days  afterward  the  Chinese  inhabitants 
became  very  joyful,  and  the  Tartar  soldiers  were 
greatly  terrified  at  a  report  that  the  terrible  Koshin- 
ga,  whose  name  just  about  that  time  had  become  fa- 
mous, would  land.  Well,  the  report  proved  true,  for 
the  sea  chief  appeared  with  a  great  fleet,  and  drove 
the  Tartars  inland;  when,  feeling  weary  of  my  servi- 
tude, and  longing  to  fight  against  the  usurping  bar- 
l)arians,  T  offered  my  services  to  one  of  the  com- 
Mianders,  and  no  sooner  had  I  put  in  force  that  vir- 
tuous resolution,  than  my  fortunes  began  to  mend, 
foi-  in  one  of  the  ships  I  foun^  the  noble  Nicholas. 

"  Well,  I  will  only  tell  the  illustrious  princess  how 
that  "I  kept  by  the  side  of  the  noble  Nicholas  in  all 
bautles  that  have  been  fought  by  the  great  KosMnga; 
but  in  the  midst  of  our  adventures    and  suet  esses, 


chow's  mother  and  the  princess.     323 

both  the  noble  Nicholas  and  his  servant  were  un- 
happy, for  they  pined  to  learn  the  fate  of  the  daugh 
Utr  of  the  Minors,  whom  the  heavens  had  once  en- 
trusted  to  their  care.  At  every  town  upon  the  coast, 
from  every  man  who  joined  the  fleet,  did  we  endeavor 
to  trace  some  clue,  not  omitting  to  offer  great  re- 
wax-ds ;  it  was  all,  however,  useless,  till  one  day  a 
Tartar  prisoner  was  taken  and  brought  to  our  ship, 
and  as  he  had  with  him. a  copy  of  the  Pekin  Gazette^ 
which  contains  the  officers  of  the  empire  and  the  de- 
crees of  the  Emperor,  the  noble  Nicholas  eagerly 
read  it  to  find  out  the  movements  of  the  barbarians, 
when,  much  to  his  sui-pi-ise,  he  saw  that  the  noble  Ki 
had  been  restored  to  his  rank  and  fortunes,  and,  more- 
over, was  permitted  to  reside  unmolested  at  his  na- 
tive palace  in  Fokien.  'Thus,  then,  O  Chow,  we 
have  a  fortunate  day ;  here  is  a  clue  to  the  princess — 
for  should  she  have  escaped  the  villain  rebels,  this 
old  and  faithful  servant  of  her  royal  father  will  surely 
know,'  said  the  noble  Nicholas." 

"  Truly  the  great  Father  of  heaven  hath  directed, 
this  even,"  said  the  princess. 

"  Then,  O  my  princess,  the  heart  of  thy  servant 
leaped  for  joy;  for  he  knew  that  the  clue  to  the  illus- 
trious daughter  of  the  Mings  would  lead  to  the  dis- 
covery of  his  beloved  mother,  so  upon  his  knees  he 
begged  his  noble  master  to  let  him  search  the  coast 
of  Fokien,  a  request  he  would  have  granted,  had  not 
the  whole  fleet  been  ordered  by  the  chief  Koshinga 
to  attack  and  drive  the  barbarian  Hollanders  from 
the  great  island  of  Formosa  on  that  day.     Then  for 


324  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

nearly  four  moons  was  tlie  fleet  before  the  castle  of 
Zealand,  wtiicli  protects  the  island ;  and  so  well  did 
the  barbarians  fight,  that  we  had  no  other  hope  but 
to  starve  them  out;  at  length,  however,  they  were 
joined  by  the  numerous  ships  of  the  traitorous  black 
dragon  Yuen,  and  for  the  first  time  Koshinga  was 
near  being  defeated,  till  at  length  destiny  led  him  to 
fill  seven  of  his  ships  with  oil  and  inflammable  mate- 
rials, when,  taking  advantage  of  the  first  north- 
easterly wind,  he  set  them  on  fire,  and  sent  them 
among  the  ships  of  Yuen,  the  gi-eater  part  of  which 
being  destroyed,  the  crews  with  the  black  dragon 
sought  the  shores  in  their  boats.  Thus  having  got 
rid  of  the  fleet,  the  great  Koshinga  landed  his  troops, 
and  after  a  great  battle  killed  the  greater  portion  of 
the  pirates,  made  the  remainder  prisoners,  and  took 
possession  of  the  country. 

"  Truly  this  Koshinga  is  a  great  war  dragon,"  said 
the  princess. 

"  And  noble  as  he  is  brave ;  for  although  he  pun- 
ished the  traitor  pirates  with  death,  as  enemies  to 
Iheir  true  Emperor,  he  permitted  the  miserable  Hol- 
landers, who,  being  barbarians,  could  know  no  better, 
to  pile  up  their  household  goods  in  one  of  their  ships 
and  depart." 

"  Thou  hast  not  said  aught  of  the  noble  Nicholas 
during  this  terrible  fight,"  said  the  princess. 

"  Truly,  O  illustrious  lady,  he  fought  like  the  brave 
war  tiger  that  he  is,  and  performed  the  greatest  act 
)f  tlie  fight ;  for  with  his  own  hands  he  slew  the  vil- 
lain Yuen." 


chow's  mother  and  the  princess. 


"  Then  great  was  his  destiny,  for  he  has  rendered 
the  whole  empire  grateful,"  exclaimed  Ki. 

"They  owe  the  noble  Nicholas  more  gratitude 
than  the  rebel  Li-Kong,  of  whose  place  of  refuge,  or 
fate,  none  have  been  able  to  imagine,  since  the  taking 
of  Chen-si  by  the  great  Woo-san-Kwei." 

"  God  is  indeed  great ;  thus  may  treason  be  for 
ever  punished,"  said  the  princess. 

"  5ut  greater  to  thy  servant  was  the  captm-ing  of 
the  villain  mandarin,  who  killed  his  venerable  parent. 
I  had  struck  the  rogue  down  with  my  sword,  and  re- 
joicing that  I  had  at  last  the  opportunity  of  destroy- 
ing so  great  a  villain,  was  about  to  kill  him,  when  he 
saved  his  life  by  uttering  a  few  words." 

"  Is  it  under  heaven  that  thou  couldst  save  the  life 
of  the  slayer  of  thy  parent?"  exclaimed  Chow's 
mother. 

"Truly,  my  noble  mother,  for  those  words  were 
'Thy  mother  and  the  princess.'  Like  magic  they 
kept  my  sword  suspended  midway,  and  I  said, 
'What  words  are  these,  thou  dog?'  And  the  mean 
rogue  said,  'If  the  noble  captain  will  save  the  life  of 
his  slave,  he  shall  be  restored  to  his  parent.'  Need 
a  son  tell  his  mother  that  he  promised  when  the  ras- 
cal said,  '  That  it  had  been  known  for  a  long  time  to 
him  that  the  princess  was  living  in  disguise  in 
the  house  of  the  retired  colao  in  Fokien,  and  that 
had  Li-Kong  been  successful  in  defeating  Koshinga, 
it  was  the  rogue's  intention  to  sail  for  the  coast  and 
seize  the  illustrious  lady  ?" 

"Truly   Heaven    is  merciful  in  having  destroyed 
Buch  a  villain,"  said  the  princess. 


320  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

"Then," added  Chow,  "delighted  with  the  discov 
ery,  my  enmity  to  the  rogue  became  lost  in  my  anxiety 
to  again  see  my  parent ;  so  I  besought  of  the  noble 
Nicholas  to  send  me  in  search  of  those  lost  })earls  of 
our  existence,  which  he  did  with  these  words  :  'Tell 
the  illustrious  princess  that  the  Tartar  rogues  will 
seize  her  if  she  does  not  seek  the  protection  of  Ko- 
shinga,  the  friend  of  China  and  the  Mings,  of  whose 
favor  her  adopted  brother  Nicholas  will  assure  her.' 
Thus  commissioned,  I  obtained  one  of  the  smallest 
junks  of  the  fleet,  had  it  repainted  and  disguised  to 
reseml)le  a  trading  vessel,  set  sail  from  the  island, 
and  landed  this  morning,  when  I  so  nearly  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  rats  of  Tartars.  Such  is  the  history 
of  thy  servant,  and  such  his  mission.  It  is  for  the 
great  wisdom  of  the  princess  alone,  to  consider 
whether  the  daughter  of  th'e  Mings  may  long  remain 
in  safety  and  undiscovered  beneath  the  dominion  of 
the  butchers  of  her  race." 

"Heaven  is  beneficent  and  thy  words  wise,  0 
Chow,"  said  the  princess. 

"  Truly,  daughter  of  my  beloved  master,  thy  safe- 
ty would  have  been  endangered  had  we  been  per- 
mitted to  remain  here,  for  since  the  villain  mandario 
knew  thy  secret,  it  is  but  reasonable  to  believe  that 
it  may  be  in  the  possession  of  another  who  may  part 
with  it  for  a  high  price  to  the  Emperor  Chun-ti. 
But  since  this  cruel  order  has  arrived,  to  destroy  all 
tlie  houses  for  ten  miles  inland,  the  princess  can  find 
no  safer  asylum  than  the  country  of  the  great  patriot 
Koshinga,"  said  the  colao. 


chow's  mother  and  the  princess.     327 

Never  could  there  have  been  a  more  fortunate  time 
for  them  to  leave  the  town  ;  for,  as  all  the  inhabitants 
were  hastening  to  obey  the  order  of  the  Emperor, 
and  were  busy  with  their  own  affairs,  they  could  es- 
cape the  watchful  eyes  of  the  Tartars.  So  that  very 
day  they  set  about  making  preparations  for  their  de- 
parture, and  before  twenty-four  hours  had  passed, 
the  whole  party  were  on  board  Chow's  ship  and 
moving  down  the  stream;  indeed,  not  a  moment  be- 
fore it  was  necessary,  for  scarcely  had  they  got  imder 
weigh  when  a  boat  put  oiF  from  the  shore,  filled  with 
Tartar  soldiers,  the  chief  of  whom  commanded  them 
to  stop. 

*'What  would  the  Tartar  dogs?"  said  Chow, 
si  Hiding  upon  the  poop  of  the  vessel.  The  reply, 
h(»wever,  was  an  arrow,  which  but  narrowly  missed 
the  breast  of  the  brave  fellow  ;  who,  however,  talcing 
no  notice  of  the  missile,  said,  very  coolly,  as  the 
soldiers  reached  the  side  of  the  ship  and  demanded  to 
be  admitted  onboard,  "What  would  the  Tartar  dogs 
on  board  a  quiet  trading  vessel  ?" 

"  The  daughter  of  the  miserable  Ming,"  was  the 
reply. 

"  Then  only  two  at  a  time,  my  brother,"  replied 
Chow,  acquiescing  in  their  request.  And  without 
waiting  for  further  permission,  the  two  soldiers 
climbed  up  the  side  and  stood  on  the  deck,  only, 
however,  to  find  themselves  tightly  clasped  by  armed 
men,  who  had  been  lying  down  in  readiness  for  them. 
At  the  same  time  Chow,  assisted  by  some  of  his 
crew,  threw  a  heavy  bar  over  the  ship's  side  into  the 


328  THE   WAR   TIGER. 

boat  below,  which  falling  across  the  bows  and  sluicing 
her,  sent  the  soldiers  into  the  water  struggling  for 
their  lives. 

"  Oh,  oh !"  said  Chow  to  the  two  prisoners,  "  you 
are  the  affectionate  rogues  who  wanted  a  lock  of  my 
hair." 

"  Surely  the  magnanimous  hero  would  not  murder 
two  poor  men  who  were  doing  their  duty,"  was  the 
reply. 

"  Truly  it  is  said  that  fortune  comes  to  every  dog 
in  its  turn,  and  I  am  the  bow-wow  now,"  said  Chow 
to  the  Tartars,  as  he  tied  together  the  ends  of  the 
long  head-tails,  of  which  they  were  so  proud  that 
they  wished  all  China  to  imitate  them,  and  conse- 
quently now  roared  for  fear  of  losing  them. 

"  Get  you  gone,  you  dogs !"  said  Chow ;  and  the 
next  moment  the  men  were  toppled  over  into  the 
river,  plunging,  kicking,  and  at  every  plunge  giving 
such  reciprocal  pulls  at  each  other's  tails  that  they 
became  as  belligerent  as  two  cats  in  a  similar  predic- 
ament, and  the  more  so,  that  the  people  upon  the 
banks  stood  laughing  heartily  at  their  ridiculous 
gyrations. 


A  SEA  VOYAGE.  329 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

4     8KA    -J-OTixJE — THE    COLAO     RELATES     THE    ADVEN- 
TURES   OF   THE    PRINCESS. 

Once  on  board,  they  were  safe,  for  althoiigli  the 
junk  ha.l  been  painted  to  resemble  a  trading  sbip, 
she  was  equipped  with  arms  of  every  kind,  and, 
moreover,  with  men,  who  had  been  hidden  below ; 
and  it  was  fortunate  that  she  Avas  so  well  prepared, 
for  when  a  Tartar  junk  put  off  after  them,  the  crew  of 
the  latter  no  sooner  perceived  the  deck  crowded  with 
armed  men,  and  a  flag  hoisted  at  the  mast-head,  dis- 
playing the  terrible  name  of  Koshinga,  than  they  re- 
linquished the  chase. 

Once  out  at  sea,  the  vessel  was  as  quiet  and  happy 
as  a  holiday  junk,  and  Chow  sought  permission  to 
enter  the  state  cabin  of  the  princess. 

"  Truly,  ray  brave  Chow,  we  have  had  a  narrow 
escape  from  these  barbarians,"  said  the  princess ; 
adding,  "  The  words  of  the  noble  Ki  were  wise,  the 
secret  must  have  been  known,  and  sold  to  the  usurper." 

"Truly  thy  servant  would  willingly  sacrifice  his 
mean  life,  could  he  see  the  great  Yong-Li  ascend  the 
throne  of  his  magnificent  ancestors,"  exclaimed 
Chow ;  but,  to  his  surprise,  the  beautiful  eyes  of  the 
princess  became  suffused  with  tears. 

"  It  is  not  under  heaven,  O  princess,  that  thy  slave 
can  have  given  thee  pain?"  said  Chow. 


330  THE   WAR   TIGER. 

"  Surely  this  is  weak,  for  no  tears  slic  aid  be  found 
in  the  eyes  of  the  daughter  of  the  Mings,  but  those 
caused  by  the  suffering  of  the  people,"  said  the  prin- 
cess ;  adding,  "  Alas !  ray  poor  brother,  with  liim  haa 
departed  the  last  hope  of  his  race." 

"  What  are  these  sad  words,  O  my  princess  ?  Is 
it  possible  that  the  Emperor  Yong-Li  can  have  left 
the  earth  ?" 

Then,  with  an  effort  to  subdue  her  sorrow,  she 
said,  "  Even  so,  my  brave  Chow ;"  but,  her  grief  over- 
coming her  resolution,  she  could  utter  no  more,  and 
Chow  respectfully  left  the  cabin,  followed  by  the 
colao,  who  thus  related  the  adventures  of  the  prin- 
cess, and  his  mother,  from  the  time  of  their  abduction 
by  the  strange  soldiers  : — 

"  Wlien,  O  'brave  Chow,  the  robbers  found  the_y 
nad  obtained  the  great  prize  they  had  so  long  been 
in  search  of,  they  hastened  with  all  speed  to  the  sea- 
coast,  where  they  hoped  to  find  a  ship  that  would 
take  them  to  the  coast  of  Pe-tche-Lee,  where  the 
army  of  Li  was  reported  to  be  encamped  ;  when, 
however,  they  reached  the  port,  they  heard  that  the 
Prince  Yong  Li  had  quarrelled  with  Woo-san-Kwei, 
and  having  got  together  a  great  army,  had  marched 
to  the  city  of  Chao-Hing,  which,  after  a  few  days,  he 
had  retaken  from  the  Tartars,  and  caused  himself  to 
be  proclaimed  Emperor.  Then,  when  the  cunning 
thieves  heard  this  news,  and  also  that  Yong-Li  was 
reconquering  the  country  all  around,  they  bethought 
themselves  that  Yong-Li  would  give  them  a  much 
higher  price  for  a  sister  that  he  loved  so  dearly,  than 


A  SEA  VOYAGE.  331 

would  Li-Kong  for  a  princess  whom  he  only  hoped 
to  make  his  Avife;  so,  making  a  virtue  of  a  necessity, 
the  rogues  threw  themselves  at  the  feet  of  the  royal 
lady,  implored  -pardon  for  their  roughness,  and 
making  a  merit  of  their  great  crime,  declared  they 
were  the  faithful  servants  of  her  house,  and  intended 
to  take  her  to  her  royal  brother's  court.  Too  glad 
to  hear  such  news,  she  readily  bestowed  upon  them 
a  pardon ;  and,  moreover,  promised  them  great  re- 
wards if  they  wovdd  only  conduct  her  in  safety  to 
her  brother's  presence. 

"  After  some  months'  tedious  and  difficult  traveling, 
they  arrived  at  Chao-IIing,  where  they  found  that 
the  report  vv'as  truthful,  and  that  the  prince  had  really 
made  a  very  great  stride  toward  his  throne.  Well, 
the  rogues  were  rewarded,  and  the  princess  delighted 
at  being  not  only  restored  to  her  brother,  but  to  the 
good  and  great  Candida  Hiu,  who  had  escaped  to 
Chao-Hing  some  time  previously,  with  myself,  the 
ancient  servant  of  the  imperial  Mings;  but,  alas! 
fortune  is  capricious.  A  great  army  of  barbarians  so 
encompassed  the  city,  that  we  were  unable  to  procure 
food;  still  we  held  out,  and  the  soldiers  fought 
bravely,  with  the  hope  of  being  soon  relieved.  Then 
some  foul  demon  put  it  into  the  head  of  the  Tartar 
general,  that  the  place  might  be  taken  without  fight- 
in  <>•.  So,  seeintr  that  the  waters  of  the  river  were  at 
a  jiveater  hei<xht  than  had  ever  before  been  known, 
be  first  made  a  breach,  in  the  walls,  and  then  caused 
his  army  to  cut  away  the  dikes  and  embankments,  so 
that  the  waters  rushed  in  such  terrible  force  that  the 


332  THE   WAR  TIGER. 

houses  were  beaten  down,  and  the  city  made  one  vast 
pool,  in  which  three  milUons  of  people  were  drowned, 
the  Lady  Candida  among  them.     Fortunately,  how- 
ever, the  Emperor,  the  princess,  and  their  servant, 
escaped  the  flood,  and,  after  many  trials  and  difiicul- 
ties,  reached  the  court  of  the  King  of  Pegu,  who, 
seeing  the  heir  to  so  great  a  throne  in  such  misfortune, 
readily  ofiered  him  one  of  his  palaces  for  his  resi- 
dence;   and   there  we   remained    happily  for   some 
time,  and  might  have  continued  till  more  fortunate 
days,  but  that  its  coming  to  the  ears  of  the  Tartars, 
that  the  Prince  Yong-Li  was  under  the  protection  of 
the  King  of  Pegu,  the  latter,  for  fear  of  being  de- 
throned by  his  terrible  neighbor,  was  compelled  to 
give  the  prince  into  the  hands  of  the  Tartar,  who, 
taking  him  to  Pekin,  there  had  him  destroyed  in  a 
sruel  and  ignominious  manner.     Fortunately,  how- 
ever, the  Tartar  did  not  know  that  the  imperial  Lor 
Loo,  was  with  her  brother,  and  so,  aided  by  the  King 
of  Pegu,  I  traveled  mto  my  own  province  of  Fokien, 
taking  the  princess  as  my  daughter,  and  thy  mother 
as  her  attendant ;  and  no  plan  could  be  so  safe,  for  the 
Tartar  barbarian  had  proclaimed  that  all  those  Chi- 
nese nobles  who  hadsuiferedby  the  tyranny  of  Wey-t- 
song,  or  Li-Kong,  should  be  reinstalled  in  their  former 
rank  and  possessions,  conferring  upon  me  alone,  for 
my  long  and  faithful  services  to  my  late  master,  the 
high  and  honorable  title  of  'Faithful  to  the  Emperor.' " 
"Truly  this  is  a  sad  and  marvelous  history,"  said 
Chow,  taking   a  respectful   leave   of  the  venerable 
noble,  and  proceeding  to  the  duties  of  the  ship. 


THE   PAXACE   OF   KOSHINGA.  333 


CHAPTER  XLY. 

» 

rHET  REACH  THE  PALACE  OF  THE  SEA  CHIEF  KOSHINGA- 

Oh  !  how  the  heart  of  the  princess  bled  for  the 
poor  people,  as  sailing  along  that  coast  she  saw  with 
what  terrible  haste  the  Emperor's  command  had 
been  obeyed.  There,  as  far  as  the  vision  could  pierce, 
ran,  blazed,  crackled  one  cordon  of  fire;  miles  in 
thickness,  this  fearful  belt  seemed  as  if  it  were  to 
ward  ofi"  the  attack  of  worlds  of  savage  beasts,  in- 
stead of  one  mortal  man.  Yet  such  was  the  shock- 
ing policy  of  the  Tartar  despot,  that  to  starve  the 
great  sea  warrior  from  the  coast,  he  laid  waste  hun- 
dreds of  miles,  ruined  millions  of  his  new  subjects, 
and  turned  a  fertile  and  populous  land  into  a  dreary 
wilderness. 

For  some  days  the  little  ship  ploughed  those 
waters,  which,  though  famous  for  their  tempests, 
were,  as  if  in  augury  of  bettor  fortunes,  now  as  placid 
as  a  lake,  till  at  length  they  came  in  sight  of  the  Pes- 
cadores, from  almost  every  point  of  which  they  could 
see  the  colors  of  the  victorious  Koshmga.  Then 
they  reached  the  point  of  Formosa,  upon  which  the 
Hollanders  had  erected  their  fort,  but  from  which 


•534:  THE   WAR  TIGEl:. 

now  floated  the  flag  of  the  sea  chief;  then  Chow  sent 
up  a  signal,  and  in  reply  the  Dutch  guns  bellowed 
forth  a  salute.  Shortly  afterward  some  large  barges 
put  off  from  the  shore  to  the  ship,  the  princess  and 
her  party  took  their  seats,  and  were  speedily  rowed 
to  the  shore,  upon  which  she  had  no  sooner  put  her 
foot,  than  Nicholas  fell  upon  his  knees  before  her, 
saying,  "  Welcome,  illustrious  daughter  of  the  Mings, 
to  the  kingdom  of  Koshinga." 

"  Surely,  my  brave  and  noble  brother,  this  is  but 
mockery ;  for  the  daughter  of  the  Mings  is  now  but 
an  outcast  orphan,"  said  the  princess,  taking  Nicho- 
jis  by  the  hands  and  assisting  him  to  rise. 

"  Not  so,  O  illustriou^princess !  for,  like  a  brand 
from  the  flames,  this  great  and  fertile  island  hath 
been  plucked  from  the  thieving  Tartars  and  Holland- 
ers by  Koshinga,  that  it  may  be  restored  to  the  prin- 
cess of  China,  as  a  resting-place,  till  the  whole  of  her 
empire  be  recovered." 

"  Who,  O  my  brother,  is  this  bold,  brave  man  that 
thus  shakes  the  world  by  his  power?" 

"  A  patriot,  and  a  true  Chinese,  whose  only  ambi- 
tion is  to  root  out  the  miserable  Tartars  from  the 
land,  and  restore  its  throne  to  its  ancient  Emperors," 
replied  Nicholas ;  adding,  "  But  the  princess  would 
see  this  terrible  sea  chief"  Then  he  led  her  through 
the  double  rows  of  troops,  which  were  drawn  up  the 
whole  length  between  the  castle  and  the  shore,  and 
all  of  whom  bent  low  with  respectful  loyalty  as  the 
daugliter  of  their  late  Emperor  passed.  When 
within  the  castle,  he  led  her  to  a  door  where  a  num 


THE  PRINCE  OF  KOSHINGA.       330 

ber  of  ladies  in  rich  dresses  stood  ready  to  receive 
her.  "  Now,  O  illustrious  princess,  will  thy  servant  pre- 
pare the  noble  chief  for  the  great  honor  of  thy  visit," 
said  Nicholas,  leaving  her  to  the  care  of  the  ladies. 


336  THE   WAR  TIGER. 


CHAPTER  XLVL 

THE    KING     AND    QUEEN    OP     FORMOSA. HAPPT 

TERMINATION    OF   THE    STORY. 

The  pleasure  of  the  princess  had  changed  to  grief; 
ehe  felt  disappointed  and  desolate,  for  once  fallen 
from  her  high  i-ank,  and  having  been  thrown  by 
misfortune  beneath  the  care  of  Nicholas,  she  had 
learned  to  regard  him  as  a  brother  ;  therefore,  after 
the  death  of  the  Prince  Yong-Li,  great  had  been  her 
delight,  by  anticijjation,  of  again  meeting  him — ^but 
now,  alas !  the  brave  youth  seemed  changed.  "Was 
he  not,  indeed,  one  of  the  officers  of  the  great  Ko- 
ehinga,  by  whose  command  he  had  received  her,  not 
as  a  dear  friend,  but  with  the  cold  and  formal  respect 
due  to  that  exalted  rank,  which,  as  it  seemed  about 
to  rob  her  of  her  adopted  brother,  was  hateful  to  her  ? 

Thus,  in  a  very  melancholy  mood,  she  followed  the 
ladies  through  the  corridor  into  a  suite  of  rooms, 
magnificently  furnished  with  the  spoils  from  the  well- 
laden  ships  of  Li-Kong.  She,  who,  more  fortunate 
than  most  princesses,  had  had  the  painful  mantle  of 
royalty  torn  from  her  shoulders  and  been  permitted 
for  a  season  to  taste  the  troubles  of  ordinary  mo'-talb, 
which,  compared  to  her  former  state,  seemed  luxury 
itself,  was  again  about  to  be  petrified  by  state  gar- 
ments,  and,  like  the   idols,  her  Christian  teas^hing 


THE   KING    AND   QUEEN   OF   FORMOSA.  337 

eanght  her  to  despise,  placed  upon  a  throne  high  up 
out  of  the  way  of  common  humanity,  and  as  her  ex- 
perience had  taught  her,  mocked  with  a  false  adoration. 

The  morning  came,  however,  and  still  she  as  much 
feared  to  meet  the  chief  as  if  he  had  been  her  great 
(.'St  enemy.  At  last  the  terrible  moment  of  meetin| 
came,  and  she  was  conducted  by  her  ladies  to  the 
great  hall  of  the  castle,  which  was  hung  with  yellow 
cloth  of  gold.  Not  noticmg  the  crowd  of  officers 
around,  who  were  bowing  to  the  ground,  she  bent 
her  head  downward,  and  as  the  ladies  led  her  for- 
ward to  the  chair  of  state,  she  heard,  "  "Welcome  to 
the  Queen  of  Tai-ouan."  The  welcome  was  echoed 
by  a  hundred  voices ;  the  princess  looked  up,  the 
throne  was  vacant,  but  by  her  side,  and  holding  her 
hand,  stood  the  terrible  Koshinga,  at  the  sight  of 
whom  she  trembled,  but  it  was  with  joy,  for  the  great 
sea  chief  after  all  was  neither  more  nor  less  than 
Nicholas,  the  son  of  the  merchant  of  the  south,  who, 
by  his  great  abilities,  valor,  and  energy,  had  con- 
quered a  kingdom  and  crowned  himself. 

Thus  ends  the  troubles  of  the  princess.  Chow, 
Nicholas,  and  my  story.  I  will,  however,  add,  that 
although  by  some  unaccountable  neglect  the  histo- 
rians of  China  have  omitted  to  say  one  word  about 
ihe  queen,  they  all  state  that  not  only  was  Koshinga, 
the  great  son  of  Chin-Chi-Loong,  crowned  first  King 
of  Formosa,  but  in  that  capacity  received  ambassa- 
dors from  several  of  the  monarchs  of  Europe. 

THB   END. 

22 


A   IvIST  OK  BOOKS 


SELECTED    FROM    THE 


Ca.ta.loQ:  tie 


OF — 


J.  B.  IvIPPINCOXX   COIVIPANY, 


(Complete  Catalogue  Sent  on  Application  ) 


PUBLICATIONS  OF  J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY. 

NEW  BOOKS  FOR  THE  YOUNG. 


THE  BOY  WANDERER; 

Or.  No  Relations.  From  the  French  of  Hector  Malot. 
With  Illustrations.     8vo,     Cloth,  gilt.     ^2.00. 

This  entertaining  story  gained  Mr.  Malot  the  Monthyon  Prize  of  Virtue. 
It  was  translated  a  number  of  years  ago,  and  appeared  under  the  second  title, 
which  failed  to  give  a  clear  idea  of  the  book.  The  work  is  not  only  suitable 
foi  general  reading,  but  is  specially  adapted  to  the  taste  of  young  people,  and 
its  attractiveness  in  this  respect  is  much  increased  by  the  introduction  of  nurj- 
crous  engravings  from  the  original  French  edition. 

"An  extremely  fascinating  story,  written  with  unflagging  force,  and  is  full 
of  genuine  pathos  as  of  graceful  and  delicate  descriptions.  .  .  .  This  novel 
fully  deserves  the  honor  that  has  been  done  it." — Blackwood's  Magazine. 

ARMINIUS  VAMBERY ; 

His  Life  and  Adventures.  "Written  by  Himself.  With  Por- 
trait and  many  Illustrations,  One  vol.  Large  i2mo.  Cloth, 
gilt.     ^1.50. 

This  work  contains  a  personal  narrative  of  travel  and  adventures  in  Asia  and 
Europe,  and  is  a  book  that  will  be  read  by  all  lovers  of  travel  and  adventures. 

"  A  most  fascinating  work,  full  of  interesting  and  curious  experiences." — 
Contemporary  Review. 

"  Has  all  the  fascination  of  a  lively  romance." — Daily  Telegraph. 


OUR  YOUNG  FOLKS'  ENCYCLOPE- 
DIA OF  TRAVEL. 

A  Book  of  Travel  and  Adventure.  Consisting  of  "  OUR  YoUNG 
Folks  Abroad"  and  "Our  Young  Folks  in  Africa" 
combined  in  one  volume.  The  Adventures  of  a  Party  of 
young  Americans  in  Europe,  Algeria,  and  in  South  Central 
Africa.  By  James  D.  McCabe.  Illustrated  with  over  500 
Engravings.      Imperial  8vo.      Extra  cloth.     $2.^0. 

"  This  book  is  accurate,  readable,  and  vivacious,  and  at  once  amusing  and 
Instructive.  The  illustrations  are  numerous  and  reliable,  and  add  much  to  the 
value  of  the  work." — Boston  Courier. 

"  By  a  popular  writer,  who  tells  an  interesting  story  of  an  interesting  land. 
Such  a  book  as  young  folks  will  understand  and  older  folks  enjoy." — Wheeling 
Intelligencer. 

BOYS'  STORIES. 

By  AscooT  R.  Hope.     With  Illustrations.         i2mo.         Clotb. 


.PUBLICATIONS   OF  J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY. 


"A  VERT  HANDSOME  AND  A  VERT  VALUABLE  "WORK." 


Our  Young  Folks'  PiuTftRCH. 

Especially  Adapted  for  Boys  and  Girls. 

Being  all  of  Plutarch  Told  in  a  Simple,  Easy,  and 
Pleasant  Style. 

By  ROSAL.IE  KAUFMAN. 

"WITH    I]L.LTJSTRA.TIOISrS    J^IsTD    Ml-A-PS. 

Square  Svo.    Eztra  ClotL    $2.50. 


"  This  is  one  of  the  most  tasteful  and  substantially  handsome 
books  for  young  readers  that  has  come  under  our  eyes  for  a  long 
time.  The  publishers  have  given  these  admirable  stories  the  ad- 
vantages of  the  best  book-making,  and  they  certainly  deserve  all 
that  art  can  do  to  make  them  attractive  to  children.  We  unhesi- 
tatingly commend  this  volume  as  one  of  the  very  best  which  the 
season  will  offer  to  book -buyers." — New  York  Christian  Union. 

"  The  book  is  well  written,  and  can  hold  the  attention  of  the 
•Id  as  well  as  young  through  its  pages." — Godey's  Lady's  Book. 

"  Young  readers  will  find  these  old  biographies  far  more  inter- 
esting and  instructive  than  the  vast  majority  of  juvenile  tales." — 
PiUslurg  Presbyterian  Banner, 

"  Rosalie  Kaufman  has  done  good  service  in  the  popular  cause 
of  juvenile  literature.  Plutarch  is  an  author  whose  fascination 
first  shows  itself  upon  the  young,  and  then  holds  an  abiding 
place  of  honor  even  to  extreme  old  age.  What  a  treat  lies  before 
the  eager  boy  or  thoughtful  girl  to  whom  Plutarch  will  introduce, 
for  the  first  time,  the  splendid  personages  of  whom  he  writes." — 
77jif  American. 

*^*  For  sale  by  all  Booksellers,  or  will  be  sent  by  mail,  postage 
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J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY,  Publishers, 

715  and  717  MarJeet  St.,  Philadelphia. 


PUBLICATIONS  OF  J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY. 


AN  INSTRUCTIVE    BOOK   FOB    THE   YOUNG, 


OUR  YOUNG  FOLKS'  JOSEPHUS. 

The  Aatiqnities  of  the  Jews,  and  Ihe  Jewish  Wars  of  Flavins  Josephus. 
Edited  by  WILLIAM   SHEPARD. 


With  Eight  IlluBtrations.    Large  Octavo,    Extra  cloth,  gilt.    $2.50. 

"  One  would  have  thought  that  there  was  little  or  nothing  in  the  history  of 
'  The  Jewish  Wars,'  as  related  by  Josephus,  that  could  be  made  readable  for 
young  people.  Yet  Mr.  Shepard  has  succeeded  in  making  it  so,  and  to  a  very 
marl<ed  degree.  In  his  '  Young  Folks'  Josephus'  he  has  admirably  simplified 
the  story  of  his  people  which  that  ancient  Jewish  historian  gave  to  the  Romans 
some  eighteen  centuries  ago,  omitting  such  parts  as  have  no  special  interest, 
and  giving  to  the  narrative  a  charm  and  picturesqueness  well  fitted  to  arrest  and 
to  hold  the  attention  of  young  readers." — Boston  Advertiser. 

"Mr.  Shepard,  in  simplifying  Josephus,  has  met  a  want  of  the  times. 
These  old  masterpieces  of  literature  which  it  used  to  be  thought  only  mature 
minds  could  comprehend,  rewritten  into  simpler  language  for  young  readers 
cannot  fail  of  bringing  about  grand  results.  The  '  Young  Folks'  Josephus'  is 
written  in  language  that  any  scholar  in  the  fourth  reader  class  can  readily  un- 
derstand and  enjoy." — Chautauquan,  Meadville ,  Pa. 

"Adapting  the  text  from  the  story  of  the  Old  Testament  as  written  by 
Josephus,  Mr.  William  Shepard  presents  an  interesting  volume  for  the  use  of 
young  people.  The  illustrations,  reductions  from  Dore,  add  much  to  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  book." — New  York  Times. 

"A  sample  of  the  commendable  work  which  is  being  done  in  providing 
valuable  literature  for  the  young  is  shown  in  '  Our  Young  Folks'  Josephus,'  a 
simplified  version  of  the  Jewish  historian,  written  by  William  Shepard.  The 
book  comprises  a  brief  life  of  Josephus,  a  chronological  table  of  the  leading 
events  in  Jewish  history  from  2078  B.C.  to  70  A.D.,  and  the  substance  of  the 
two  works  of  Josephus,  '  The  Antiquity  of  the  Jews'  and  '  The  Jewish  Wars.* 
Mr.  Shepard  has  reproduced  the  narrative  of  the  Jewish  writer  in  a  captivat- 
ing form.  His  style  is  a  model  of  perspicuity  and  compression,  and  will  be 
apt  to  enchain  the  reader  by  its  charm  alone.  A  number  of  illustrations  after 
Dor^  are  scattered  through  the  text." — Chicago  Dial. 

"A  specially  valuable  book  for  boys  is  '  Our  Young  Folks'  Josephus,'  be- 
ing an  adaptation  of  the  'Antiquities  of  the  Jews'  and  '  The  Jewish  Wars'  of 
Flavins  Josephus,  by  William  Shepard.  Mr.  Shepard  has  simplified  the  story 
of  the  Jews  as  told  by  Josephus,  so  that  the  youngest  child  can  easily  compre- 
hend the  facts.  The  present  of  a  book  of  this  character  to  a  boy  or  girl  is  a 
very  sensible  act.  The  work  is  not  of  an  ephemeral  nature.  While  the  lan- 
guage is  simplified,  it  contains  the  meat  and  substance  of  'Josephus,'  and  will 
remain  a  standard  work." — IVashingtoK  Post. 


***  For  sale  by  all  Booksellers,  or  will  be  sent  by  mail,  postage 
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PUBLICATIONS   OF  J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY. 

Our  Young  Folks'  Roian  Empire. 

By  William  Shepard.  Uniform  with  "  Young  Folks'  Plutarch" 
and  "  Josephus."  8vo.  With  Sixteen  Illustrations  and  Maps. 
Extra  cloth,  gilt.     ^2.50. 

"  The  author,  in  his  brief  preface,  explains  that  the  features  of  his  book 
which  adapt  it  to  juvenile  perusal  are  that  it  is  written  in  homely  English, 
that  it  dwells  very  lightly  upon  those  darker  features  of  social  life  in  the  Roman 
Empire  which  make  a  more  detailed  picture  of  that  period  unfit  for  young 
people,  and  that  it  avoids  controverted  questions,  especially  in  matters  of  sec- 
tarian concern.  The  work  fairly  justifies  all  these  claims,  and  offers  a  clear 
and  well-arranged  narrative,  which  older  readers,  who  have  no  time  for  Gib- 
bon, may  peruse  with  instruction  and  interest.  There  are  some  tolerably 
good  illustrations  and  a  satisfactory  map." — New  York  Critic. 

"  The  author,  confining  himself  to  admitted  facts  of  history,  tells  the  story 
and  characteristics  of  the  succeeding  reigns  in  manner  to  bring  out  qualities  of 
men  and  events  and  make  his  young  reader  interested  in  and  appreciate  them, 
the  while  begetting  in  him  a  love  of  the  study  of  history.  No  work  of  the 
kind  could  be  more  desirable,  and  it  will  secure  the  favor  of  all  who  examine 
it  carefully.  It  contains  478  pages,  with  a  reproduction  of  the  statue  of  Julius 
Caesar,  fifteen  full-page  illustrations,  and  a  map.  It  is  printed  on  fine  paper, 
and  bound  in  strong  covers,  having  holiday  attractiveness." — Boston  Globe. 

"  William  Shepard  has  done  a  good  work  for  old  folks  as  well  as  young. 
The  book  evinces  a  good  deal  of  painstaking  reading  of  the  standard  works  on 
Roman  history,  and  an  unusual  tact  in  staling  simply  and  clearly  matters  that 
have  often  been  mystified  by  mere  rhetorical  embellishments." — Philadelphia 
Times. 

"  The  author  of  this  splendid  volume  has  fully  accomplished  his  purpose 
in  preparing  a  history  of  the  Roman  empire  adapted  to  juvenile  perusal.  That 
such  a  task  is  no  light  one  can  be  readily  understood  when  it  is  remembered 
that  only  the  few  and  specially  gifted  succeed.  Thus,  from  his  discussion  of 
the  causes  which  led  to  the  formation  of  the  empire  up  to  those  which  brought 
its  fall,  he  has  collated  a  succinct  history  of  events,  bringing  into  prominence 
only  those  pleasing  dramatic  pictures  in  which  the  youthful  mind  would  most 
naturally  find  attraction  and  entertainment.  The  illustrations  are  spirited." 
— St.  Louis  Republican. 

"  We  are  surprised  sometimes  to  notice  the  wonderful  voluntary  interest 
manifested  in  the  study  of  ancient  history.  This  book  answers  our  queries  in 
that  regard.  The  story  of  the  Roman  empire,  from  its  mythical  beginning 
through  all  the  centuries  of  struggle  for  greatness  to  the  fall  and  consequent 
breaking  up  of  its  accumulated  strength,  is  most  charmingly  told.  There  is  no 
reason  why  our  young  people  should  devote  their  time  to  the  reading  of  worth- 
less publications,  when  the  very  best,  containing  the  facts  of  history,  the  deeds 
of  great  and  mighty  men,  the  destinies  of  nations,  are  written  in  such  fasci- 
nating style,  bringing  them,  so  to  speak,  in  contact  with  the  people  of  centuries 
ago.  Every  teacher  of  history  should  make  this  work  a  companion,  because 
a  careful  study  of  it  will  enable  him  to  present  the  facts  of  history  in  a  manner 
to  please  and  properly  inform  the  youthful  mind." — Chautauguan,  Cin.,  O. 

*»*  For  sale  by  all  Booksellers ,  or  will  be  sent  by  mail,  postage  prepaid, 
on  receipt  0/  the  price,  by 

J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY,  Publishers, 

71s  and  717  Market  St.,  Philadelphia. 


PUBLICATIONS   OF  J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY. 

NEW  BOOKS  FOR  THE  YOUNG. 


YOUE  FOLKS'  WHYS  AND  WHEREFORES. 

By   Uncle   Lawrence.      Profusely    Illustrated.      Royal   8vo. 

Illuminated  Boards.     $1.2$.    Cloth.     ;^2.oo. 

'"Whys  and  Wherefores'  presents  on  its  very  cover  an  inquiring-faced 
little  girl  transferred  in  the  very  act  of  asking  Why.  She  wants  to  know  Why 
it  snows;  Why  a  man  couldn't  be  sent  by  telegraph;  Why  it  isn't  always 
winter;  Why  an  engine  can  go  all  by  itself;  and  a  thousand  questions  of  this 
kind  that  her  genial  grandpapa  delights  in  answering.  The  questions  are 
suggested  very  naturally  by  the  daily  incidents  of  the  little  girl's  life,  and  her 
grandfather  gives  her  the  craved-for  information  in  a  pleasant,  simple  manner 
that  is  as  easily  understood  as  it  is  highly  entertaining.  In  this  pretty  way 
a  deal  gf  useful  and  valuable  knowledge  is  conveyed," — Neiu  York  Herald, 


YOUNG  FOLKS'  QUERIES. 

A  Story.  By  Uncle  Lawrence.  Cabinet  4to.  Fully  Illus- 
trated. Uniform  with  "  Young  Folks'  Ideas"  and  "  Young 
Folks'  Whys  and  Wherefores."  Royal  8vo.  Illuminated 
Boards.     I1.25.     Cloth.     |52.oo. 

"  This  is  a  handsomely-bound  book  of  over  two  hundred  pages,  containing 
over  eighty  bright  and  suggestive  illustrations.  It  contains  thirty-one  chapters 
of  instructive  information  upon  topics  \/hich  are  the  subjects  of  many  inquiries 
by  observant  boys  and  girls.  A  list  of  some  of  those  treated  will  give  an  idea 
of  the  nature  of  the  story;  there  are  the  pin,  the  needle,  candles,  lamps,  pe- 
troleum, the  thermometer,  mirrors,  ivory,  soap,  the  microscope,  steamboats, 
railroads,  locomotives,  etc.  It  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  instructive 
books  issued  for  the  young  folks,  and  will  be  regarded  by  many  as  their  great- 
est feajure." — New  York  School  yournal. 


YOUNG  FOLKS'  IDEAS. 

A  Story.  By  Uncle  Lawrence,  author  of  "  Young  Folks* 
Whys  and  Wherefores."  Profusely  Illustrated  with  over  50 
handsome  Engravings,  specially  adapted  to  the  Text.  Royal 
8vo.     Illuminated  Boards.     $1.2^-     Cloth.     ^2.00. 

The  author's  aim  in  this,  ps  in  his  preceding  volume,  has  been  ;o  im- 
part information  on  a  variety  of  scientific  and  industrial  subjects.  The  style 
of  the  work  is  especially  adapted  to  the  taste  and  understanding  of  the  young, 
and  its  interest  will  doubtless  be  further  increased  by  the  pleasing  story  which 
is  skilfully  woven  into  its  pages.  Some  of  the  subjects  treated  of  in  the  book 
are:  How  is  Bread  Made?  Wheat,  rlarvests,  and  Mills.  The  Manufacture 
of  Bread.  Gold,  Gold-Mines,  and  Placers.  About  Gold  and  Silver  Money. 
Glass.  Street  Lamps  and  Gas.  Something  About  Paper.  The  Printing- 
Press.  Wool  and  Silk.  Linen  and  Cotton  Goods.  Copper,  Bronzc,  aod 
Brass,    Iron  and  Steel.    Grapes  and  Wine-Making,  etc. 


WORKS  OF  REFERENCE 

FOR  THE  LIBRARY,  SCHOOL,  AND   FAMILY. 

LIPPINCOTT'S 

GAZETTEER 

OF  THE  WORLD. 

A  Complete  Pronouncing  Gazetteer,  or  Geograph- 
ical Dictionary  of  the  World. 

ContainiiiE  Notices  of  oyer  One  Hnnlreil  mi  Tweiity-fiye  BonsanJ  Places. 

With  Recent  and  Authentic  Information  respecting  the  Countries,  Islands, 

Rivers,  Mountains,  Cities,  Towns,  etc.,  in  every  portion 

of  the  Globe;   also  the  Census  for  1880. 

NEW  EDITION,  WITH  SUPPLEMENTARY  TABLES, 

Showing  the  Populations,  etc.,  of  the  Principal  Cities  and  Toums  of  the  World,  based 

upo7i  the  most  recent  Cens^us  Returns.     One  Volume.    Imperial  Octavo. 

Embracing  2680  Pages.     Library  Sheep.     ?12.(K). 


LIPPINCOTT'S 

BlOGRAPHIGfl 

DICTIONARY. 

A  Universal  Pronouncing  Dictionary  of  Biography 
and  Mythology. 

Contains  Memoirs  of  the  Eminent  Persons  of  all  Ages  and  Countries,  and  Accounts 

of  the  Various  Subjects  of  the  Norse,  Hindoo,  and  Classic  Mythologies, 

with  the  Pronunciation  of  their  Names  in  the  Different 

Languages  in  which  they  occur. 

BY   J.   THOMAS,    M.D.,  LL.D. 

A  New,  Thoroughly-Revised,  and   Greatly-Enlarged  Ldition. 

Complete  in  One  Volume,  Imperial  Svo,  2550  Pages.    Bound  in  Sheep,  $12.00. 


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FOR   SALE  BY  ALL  BOOKSELLERS. 

J.  B.  LirPINCOXTT  COMPANY,  Publishers, 

71S  and  717  Market  Street,  Philadelphia. 


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BREWER'S  READER'S  HANDBOOK 

Op  Facts,  Characters,  Plots,  and  Referencj:s.    $3.50. 

BREWER'S  DICTIONARY  OF  FHRASE  AND  FABLE. 

Giving  the  Derivation,  Source,  or  Origin  of  about  20,000  Common  Phrases,  Illusions, 
and  Words  that  have  a  Tale  to  Tell.     New  Edition.     $2.50. 

BREWER'S  DICTIONARY  OF  MIRACLES, 

Imitative,  Realistic,  and  Dogmatic.     With  Illustrations.     $2.50. 

EDWARDS'S   WORDS,  FACTS,  AND  PHRASES. 

A  Dictionary  of  Curious,  Quaint,  and  Out-of-the-Way  Matters.     $2.50. 

WORCESTER'S   (fOMPREHENSIVE  DICTIONARY. 

Revised,  Enlarged,  and  Profusely  Illustrated.     $2.50. 

ROGET'S   THESAURUS. 

A  Treasury  of  English  Words.     $2.50. 

ANCIENT  AND  3IODERN  FAMILIAR  QUOTATIONS. 

From  the  Greek,  Latin,  and  Modern  Languages.     $2.50. 

SOULE'S  ENGLISH  SYNONYMES. 

A  Dictionary  of  Synonymes  and  Synonymous  or  Parallel  Expressions.     $2.50. 


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